:         ; 


A 

MAYNARD 
BARBOUR 


BREAKERS  AHEAD! 


BY  THE  SAME  AUTHOR 


THAT  MAINWARING  AFFAIR 
iztb   Edition 


AT  THE  TIME  APPOINTED 

loth  Edition 


"AND    I HAVE    LOST 


D 

1                               In  | 

D 

BREAKERS 

AHEAD 

n 

q 

BY 

A.  MAYNARD   BARBOUR 

AUTHOR    OF  "THAT    MAINWARING    AFFAIR;"    "AT 
THE   TIME    APPOINTED,"    ETC. 

WITH  FRONTISPIECE 

D 

h 

JAMES  L.  WOOD 

n 

PHILADELPHIA    y     LONDON 

D 

J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY 

1906 

D 

L                  1  D  1                   1 

Copyright,   1906 
By  J.   B.   LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY 

Published  June,  1906 


CONTENTS. 


I. 

THE  CRISIS  

7 

II. 

WILD  OATS  

15 

III. 

THE  PARTING  OF  THE  WAYS  

21 

IV. 

CONCERNING  A  PRODIGAL  SON    

30 

V. 

THE  SKELETON  AT  THE  FEAST  

39 

VI. 

NOTHING  SUCCEEDS  LIKE  SUCCESS  

50 

VII. 

THE    "RICHARDS   EPISODE"  

59 

VIII. 

A  NEW  DEPARTURE  

68 

IX. 

AN  UNLOCKED  FOR  EVENT  

80 

X. 

UNLOOKED  FOR  RESULTS   

93 

XI. 

A  CHANCE  MEETING  

108 

XII. 

AN  EXPLANATION   

112 

XIII. 

A  WOMAN'S  PREDICTION  

119 

2134314 


CONTENTS 

XIV. 
DOMESTIC  JARS 129 

XV. 

ANOTHER  "RICHARDS  EPISODE" 142 

XVI. 
THE  SWORD  OP  DAMOCLES 153 

XVII. 
A  KNIGHT  ERRANT 167 

XVIII. 
THE  "KINDNESS"  OP  FATE 188 

XIX. 
FACE  TO  FACE 199 

XX. 

A  REVELATION 218 

XXI. 
"EVERY  MAN  HAS  HIS  PRICE" 233 

XXII. 
SETTING  THE  BALL  IN  MOTION 251 

XXIII. 
A  SIDE  ISSUE .   .     260 

XXIV. 

"A  WORD  FITLY  SPOKEN"  269 


XXV. 
THE  "MACHINE" 279 

XXVI. 

A  DESPERATE  CHANCE 292 

XXVII. 
MAN  PROPOSES  BUT  WOMAN  DISPOSES 300 

XXVIII. 

AMID  THE  BREAKERS 319 

6 


I 

THE    CRISIS 


"  IF  I  hadn't  been  such  an  egregious  ass  ! " 

Thomas  Macavoy  Denning  kicked  viciously  at  a 
small  stone  lying  at  his  feet,  sending  it  spinning  down 
the  mountain  side.  A  chipmunk,  that  had  been 
regarding  him  inquisitively  from  a  log  opposite, 
taking  alarm,  flashed  up  the  nearest  tree  trunk  and 
along  the  low  boughs,  seating  himself  above  Den- 
ning's  head,  where  he  poured  forth  a  torrent  of  noisy 
objurgation. 

"I  seem  to  possess  the  faculty  for  making  a  con- 
summate fool  of  myself!  I  don't  know  whether  it's 
congenital  or  acquired,"  Denning  continued. 

The  chipmunk  appeared  to  consider  this  remark 
particularly  offensive,  for,  in  his  excitement,  he 
dropped  the  nut  he  was  holding,  directly  upon  Den- 
ning's  broad  back,  whence  it  rolled  unheeded  to  the 
ground. 

"  This  is  the  worst !  And  it  will  be  the  last,  too,7' 
he  soliloquized,  grinding  his  heel  into  the  soft  earth. 
"  They  say  a  burnt  child  dreads  the  fire  ;  I  think  I'll 
let  it  jolly  well  alone  hereafter.  I've  been  singed 
before,  but  this  is  a  scorcher,  by  Jove  ! " 

He  was  seated  part  way  up  the  timbered  mountain, 
on  the  stump  from  which  the  log  opposite  had  been 
sawn,  his  cap  pulled  low  over  his  eyes  against  the 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

rays  of  the  setting  sun  which  came  nearly  straight 
across  the  intervening  valley.  His  elbows  rested  on 
his  knees  ;  one  hand  hung  downward  listlessly,  while 
the  other  held  an  English  briar  pipe  in  which  the  fire 
had  long  since  died. 

Overhead,  but  farther  up  the  tree,  the  chipmunk 
still  chattered  and  scolded.  From  the  warm,  brown 
earth,  with  its  scent  of  newly  fallen  leaves,  came  the 
strident  chirp  of  crickets.  Down  in  the  valley  the 
crows  called  lazily  to  one  another,  their  harsh  voices 
mellowed  by  the  distance.  But  these  sounds  were 
only  part  of  the  silence  of  an  October  afternoon ;  a 
silence  which  gradually  wrought  its  soothing  spell  on 
Denning.  His  muttered,  broken  soliloquies  ceased ; 
he  sat  silent,  motionless,  gazing  with  unseeing  eyes 
upon  the  valley  spread  out  before  him  like  an 
immense  canvas. 

Suddenly  he  roused  with  a  slight  start  and  seemed 
to  be  mentally  pulling  himself  together.  Glancing  at 
his  pipe  and  seeing  it  had  gone  out,  he  emptied  the 
ashes  and  proceeded  to  refill  it,  pressing  the  tobacco 
into  the  bowl  with  peculiar  deliberation.  When  he 
had  lighted  it  and  tossed  the  match  aside,  he  clasped 
his  hands  lightly  and  sat  regarding  them  with  curious, 
absent-minded  attention.  They  were  slim,  supple 
hands,  browned  by  exposure  to  sun  and  wind,  but 
well  moulded,  while  the  skin  showed  underneath  its 
coat  of  tan,  a  fineness  and  delicacy  of  texture  that 
indicated  several  generations  of  good  blood.  The 
long,  slim  fingers  did  not  taper,  however ;  instead, 
they  showed  the  firmly  rounded  tips  that  accompany 
a  temperament  executive  and  practical,  rather  than 
aesthetic  or  sentimental. 

8 


THE   CRISIS 

A  movement  on  the  canvas  before  him  recalled  him. 
A  man,  gray,  grizzled,  weather-beaten,  was  riding 
slowly  along  the  narrow  road  at  the  foot  of  the  moun- 
tain. He  was  seated  sidewise  on  a  horse  of  advanced 
age  and  melancholy  aspect,  whose  dilapidated  harness, 
dangling  against  his  emaciated  sides,  had  been  sup- 
plemented here  and  there  with  rope.  The  man  rode 
with  head  sunk  forward  on  his  breast,  and  with  each 
movement  of  the  animal  beneath  him,  his  long,  lank 
body  rocked  back  and  forth  with  an  undulatory 
motion.  Neither  horse  nor  rider  seemed  really  a 
thing  of  life,  but  rather,  a  huge,  unwieldy  automaton 
moving  mechanically  across  the  scene. 

As  Denning  watched  them,  his  lip  curled  and  there 
flashed  upon  his  mental  vision  the  picture  of  a  man 
of  fifty-five,  of  fine  physique,  erect ;  with  closely  cut, 
iron-gray  hair  and  English  side-whiskers ;  with  eyes 
like  steel — as  keen  and  as  hard  and  cold — seated  in 
the  private  office  of  a  large  banking  house  in  one  of 
England's  oldest  and  busiest  towns ;  the  hale  and 
hearty  representative  of  four  generations  of  bankers 
and  brokers. 

The  memory  stung  him  to  action.  His  listless 
attitude  changed.  He  straightened  himself,  and 
pushing  back  his  cap,  disclosed  a  pair  of  eyes  the 
counterpart  of  his  father's — the  English  banker. 
Drawing  two  letters  from  his  pocket,  each  post- 
marked New  York  and  addressed  to  T.  Macavoy 
Denning,  he  opened  and  read  them. 

He  was  already  partially  familiar  with  their  con- 
tents, having  received  them  a  few  days  earlier.  At 
the  time  of  their  receipt  he  had  given  them  little 
thought,  however.  But  immediately  thereafter,  the 

9 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

unexpected  had  happened  ;  the  whole  tenor  of  his  life 
had  suddenly  been  changed,  and  by  reason  of  the 
change,  these  letters  now  appealed  to  him  most 
forcibly. 

One  was  a  business  letter  from  a  New  York  syndi- 
cate, and  enclosed  within  it  was  a  contract  for  his 
signature.  The  other  was  from  a  chum  of  Denning' s, 
and  to  most  its  chirography  would  have  been  as  intel- 
ligible as  Sanscrit,  but  his  familiarity  with  it  and  the 
writer  enabled  him  to  decipher  it  readily.  It  was 
brief  and  as  follows  : 

MAC,  OLD  BOY  : 

Along  with  this  you  will  receive  a  communication 
from  the  B.  &  W.,  which  I  think  will  interest  you.  It 
will  give  full  particulars,  so  I  won't  go  into  details. 
Enough  to  say  that  anything  the  B.  &  W.  take  hold  of 
is  apt  to  be  pretty  good,  and  this  South  Ameri- 
can proposition  seems  to  me  unusually  attractive. 
Besides,  for  two  fellows  like  you  and  me,  that  keep 
their  eyes  open,  there's  likely  to  be  some  chances  on 
the  side  worth  taking — understand?  It  will  take 
from  three  to  five  years  to  put  the  scheme  through, 
but  in  my  opinion  it  will  be  time  well  invested. 

Of  course,  I  am  aware  that  the  proposition  may  not 
strike  a  "gay  Lothario "  like  yourself  so  favorably  as  it 
does  me — a  blas6  old  stager  who  has  got  down  to 
business — but  by  way  of  special  inducement  I'll  add 
that  there's  any  number  of  pretty  Spanish  girls  down 
there — quite  the  real  thing — and  I  can  act  the  r61e  of 
elderly  male  chaperon  to  perfection,  should  you  need 
one — you  know  I'm  nearly  two  years  your  senior. 

Hoping  we  can  count  you  hi  on  this, 

Yours  as  ever, 

HOLLINGSHEAD. 

Denning  winced  at  the  allusion  in  the  last  para- 
graph :  "  Pity  Dick  hadn't  been  along  to  'chaperon' 

10 


THE  CRISIS 

me  here  ! "  he  muttered,  with  a  smile  of  self-contempt. 
"Well,  there'll  be  no  more  of  it.  I'll  get  'down  to 
business'  myself  and  I'll  hit  straight  from  the 
shoulder,  too  !  " 

He  read  the  contract  again  thoughtfully ;  then 
folded  the  papers  with  an  air  of  decision. 

"I'll  do  it,  by  Jove!" 

" Do  what,  Tom?" 

Denning  frowned  as  he  replaced  the  letters  in  his 
pocket,  but  he  neither  replied  nor  turned  his  head. 

A  girl,  tall,  slender,  her  body  lithe  and  supple  as  a 
young  willow,  came  up  the  foot-path  with  the  long, 
swinging  step  of  those  born  and  bred  in  the  moun- 
tains. Passing  in  front  of  Denning,  she  stopped, 
regarding  him  questioningly  for  a  moment,  then 
seated  herself  on  the  log  previously  occupied  by  the 
chipmunk. 

The  faint  flush  on  her  cheek,  the  eager  little  smile 
trembling  on  her  lips,  faded  as  their  eyes  met.  Her 
limp  cotton  gown  fell  loosely  about  her,  revealing  the 
outlines  of  a  form  as  yet  lacking  much  of  the  grace 
and  beauty  which  a  few  more  years  would  bring. 
Her  attitude  unconsciously  betokened  dejection.  She 
clasped  her  hands  nervously  and  resting  her  chin 
upon  them,  gazed  at  Denning,  the  troubled  perplexity 
in  her  eyes  deepening.  There  is  a  class  of  people 
unaccustomed  to  definite,  logical  thought.  Unable  to 
think,  they  only  feel ;  and  in  this  dumb,  helpless  way, 
she  felt  an  inexplicable  change  in  Denning  and  the 
dull  pain  resulting  therefrom,  without  being  able  to 
account  for  the  one,  or  to  analyze  or  define  the  other. 

For  a  few  moments  Denning  smoked  in  silence,  his 
eyes  upon  her  face.  All  the  romance  of  the  past 

11 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

weeks  had  been  dissipated  by  hard  fact,  and  in  its 
clear,  uncompromising  light,  nothing  wore  the  same 
aspect  as  before.  Looking  upon  the  shrinking, 
forlorn  figure,  the  sunbrowned,  childish  face,  he 
wondered  at  the  infatuation  which  had  possessed  him. 
Wherein  had  lain  its  spell?  What  had  been  the 
attraction?  It  must  have  been,  he  concluded  men- 
tally, the  time  and  place ;  the  psychological  moment 
for  him  to  make  a  blithering  idiot  of  himself. 

The  girl,  feeling  the  cold  scrutiny  of  his  gaze,  had 
dropped  her  eyes.  Now,  she  suddenly  raised  them, 
and  Denning  understood  the  why  and  the  wherefore. 
Brown  eyes  they  were,  large,  soft,  timid  as  a  fawn's 
and  yet  trustful ;  reflecting  in  their  limpid  depths 
every  shade  of  feeling  of  the  guileless,  confiding  nature 
underneath.  Even  now,  they  touched  him  with  their 
pathos,  their  tender,  wistful  appeal,  like  the  eyes  of  a 
dumb  creature  that  suffers — it  knows  not  why. 

"What  brought  you  up  here,  Milly?"  he  asked, 
not  unkindly. 

"Oh,  I  don't  know,"  she  replied  hesitatingly,  "I 
just  came,  I  guess."  Then,  gathering  more  courage, 
she  added,  "I  knew  you  was  up  here,  and  'twas 
coming  supper  time  and  I  thought  maybe  I'd  meet 
you  and  we'd  go  back  together — like  we  used  to." 

Denning  made  no  reply.  The  silence  distressed  her. 
She  twisted  her  small  brown  fingers  nervously. 

"Tom?" 

"Well?" 

' '  Are  you  angry  with  me  ? ' ' 

"No." 

"It  seems  just  like  you  was." 

Another  silence. 

12 


THE  CRISIS 

11  You  seem  so  different  from  what  you  was  before — 
before " 

11  Everything  has  changed  since  then,  Milly." 

"I  haven't  changed,  Tom." 

' '  Not  consciously,  perhaps  ;  but  our  relations  are 
changed,  which  is  practically  the  same  thing.  They 
can  never  be  again  what  they  were  before,  conse- 
quently, we  can  never  be  the  same  again." 

His  words  struck  the  death-blow  to  the  poor  little 
hopes  she  had  been  cherishing,  but  she  did  not  cry 
out,  or  make  any  sign  ;  only  the  childish  face  grew 
piteously  drawn  and  tense  in  her  effort  to  keep  back 
the  tears,  while  a  few  drops  that  would  not  be  con- 
trolled plashed  over  the  tightly  interlaced  fingers.  The 
sight  of  them  irritated  Denning,  but  he  resolved  not 
to  be  unkind — at  least,  not  what  he  considered  unkind. 

"It's  hard  lines,  I  know,"  he  said,  "and  harder 
for  me  than  for  you — in  ways  you  don't  and  can't 
understand — but  that's  no  more  than  fair,  for  I've 
only  my  own  drivelling  idiocy  to  blame  for  it  all.  I 
don't  blame  you." 

He  thought  he  spoke  magnanimously,  but  his  words 
cut  her  deeply.  Her  intuitions  were  keen,  and  she 
felt  instinctively  what  she  could  not  have  put  into 
words,  that  by  the  act  which  had  saved  her  from 
disgrace,  he  considered  he  had  irretrievably  disgraced 
himself. 

Pride  helped  her  to  restrain  her  tears  and  rang  in 
her  voice,  as  she  replied  : 

"  Tom,  I  want  you  to  know  it  was  all  pa's  doings. 
I  never  would  'ave  done  it  if  pa  hadn't  made  me  j 
never,"  she  protested  passionately,  "no  matter  what 
happened !" 

13 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"  I  know  that,  Milly.     Don't  let  us  talk  about  it." 

In  the  silence  that  followed  a  faint  tintinnabulation 
sounded  from  the  valley  below. 

"There's  the  supper  bell,"  she  announced,  rising, 
but  as  Denning  made  no  move,  she  hesitated. 

"Go  on,  down,"  he  answered,  without  looking  at 
her. 

1  i  But,  ain'  t  you  coming  ? ' ' 

"  Not  now.     I'll  come  later  ;  don't  wait  for  me." 

She  turned,  then  paused,  a  half  defined  fear  at  her 
heart  and  in  her  eyes. 

"Tom,  when  I  came  up,  you  was  saying  something 
about — about  something  you  was  going  to  do  ;  what 
was  it!" 

"  Only  something  in  connection  with  my  work.  Go 
on." 

"Without  another  word  or  a  glance  backward,  she 
went  down  the  mountain-path.  Though  tears  blinded 
her  eyes,  she  held  her  small  head  erect,  and  the 
pathetic  figure  in  its  poor  little  cotton  gown,  had, 
after  all,  an  unconscious  dignity. 

When  she  had  passed  the  first  turn  in  the  path, 
Denning  arose,  emptied  his  pipe  with  careful  deliber- 
ation, and  putting  it  in  its  case,  closed  the  latter 
with  a  loud,  decisive  snap  that  seemed  to  indicate 
some  important  decision  taken  in  his  own  mind.  He 
stood  for  a  moment  looking  off  into  the  distance,  his 
mouth  tightening,  his  steel-blue  eyes  growing  hard 
and  cold.  Then,  he,  too,  took  the  path  down  the 
mountain. 


14 


II 

WILD  OATS 


MAC  DENNING,  as  he  was  familiarly  known,  was  of 
good  English  and  Scotch  blood.  He  was  the  third  of 
five  sons,  and,  possessing  a  nature  far  more  flexible 
than  that  of  either  his  elder  or  younger  brothers, 
he  soon  developed  traits  utterly  at  variance  with, 
and  antagonistic  to,  the  undeviating  usages  of  the  long 
established  line  of  Dennings  or  the  ancient  clan  of 
Macavoy.  He  was  not  vicious,  only  "an  unco  triflin' 
lad"  and  this  "triflin'"  propensity  grew  with  his 
growth  until,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  had  no  es- 
sential virtues  and  no  extraordinary  vices.  He  was 
prime  favorite  among  his  class-mates  at  college,  the 
leading  spirit  of  the  fraternities,  popular  with  sou- 
brettes  and  chorus  girls,  and  universally  declared  to  be 
"  not  a  half  bad  sort,  you  know."  He  was  a  healthy, 
irresponsible,  devil-may-care  fellow,  whose  mental 
and  moral  hereditaments,  descended  from  long  gener- 
ations, were  buried  so  deeply  that  they  rarely  came  to 
the  surface,  and  only  on  occasions  when  he  was  thor- 
oughly aroused.  These  occasions  constituted  the 
epochs  of  his  life. 

The  first  epoch  occured  within  a  few  months  of  his 
prospective  graduation.  The  report  of  a  certain 
affaire  d?  amour  having  reached  the  individual  and  col- 
lective ears  of  the  college  faculty,  Denning  was  sus- 

15 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

pended.  Such  a  proceeding  inevitably  awakened  some 
of  those  ancestral  traits  so  long  dormant,  and  the  first 
to  find  its  way  to  the  surface  was  the  Scotch  stubborn- 
ness. He  refused  to  explain  or  apologize  ;  to  express 
any  regret  for  the  past,  or  promise  any  amendment 
for  the  future,  and  was  therefore  expelled. 

He  at  once  started  for  home,  but  a  report  from  the 
faculty  had  preceded  him.  On  his  arrival  at  the 
station,  he  was  met  by  an  employ^  of  his  father's 
bank — a  menial  in  gilt  braid  and  buttons — bearing 
a  note  from  that  worthy  gentleman  demanding  his 
immediate  presence  in  his  office. 

The  picture  of  his  father  as  they  met  was  never 
effaced  from  his  memory.  All  his  after  recollections 
of  him  were  those  of  an  elderly,  irate  English  gentle- 
man, rigidly  erect  at  his  desk  in  an  elegantly  ap- 
pointed office,  each  individual  hair  on  his  shapely, 
iron-gray  head  seeming  to  bristle  with  indignation. 

A  stormy  scene  followed,  in  which  young  Denning' s 
Scotch  stubbornness  speedily  developed  into  English 
obstinacy.  When,  as  a  finale,  his  father  forbade  his 
entering  the  home  under  any  circumstances  and  cut 
his  allowance  down  to  a  beggarly  five  hundred  pounds 
a  quarter,  at  the  same  time  tendering  a  check  for  the 
first  instalment,  he  tore  the  check  in  pieces,  threw  the 
fragments  on  his  father's  desk  and  left  the  room. 

A  bank  official  was  hastily  dispatched  after  him, 
but  the  young  British  scion  was  nowhere  to  be  seen, 
having  jumped  into  the  first  hansom  which  offered  it- 
self and  which  was  speedily  swallowed  up  in  the 
crowd.  Driving  to  another  bank  where  he  had  a  tidy 
little  sum  in  his  own  name — the  bequest  of  a  maternal 
uncle — he  drew  out  enough  for  present  needs  and 

16 


WILD  OATS 

took  the  first  train  for  Liverpool,  whence  he  sailed  for 
the  United  States. 

Upon  his  arrival,  he  suddenly  realized  what  his  re- 
venge was  costing  him.  A  great  tidal  wave  of  home- 
sickness swept  over  him,  threatening  to  engulf  him,  but 
by  pure  contumacy  he  pulled  through,  and  to  sever 
the  last  possible  tie  connecting  him  with  the  old  world, 
as  soon  as  practicable,  took  out  his  first  naturalization 
papers. 

He  soon  made  the  acquaintance  of  another  dis- 
affected young  Englishman,  Dick  Hollingshead,  who 
speedily  introduced  him  to  what  he  termed  l  '  the  real 
thing."  Denning  was  not  long  in  attaining  the  same 
popularity  in  certain  New  York  clubs  which  he  had 
enjoyed  among  his  college  fraternities,  while  to  the 
charms  of  the  American  girl,  in  her  bewildering  and 
bewitching  variety,  he  proved  particularly  suscep- 
tible. 

Hollingshead,  a  cool,  level-headed  fellow,  was  a 
mine  expert  of  exceptional  ability  and  his  commis- 
sions for  the  various  syndicates  employing  him  carried 
him  wherever  valuable  mining  properties  were  to  be 
examined  and  reported  upon.  On  one  of  his  western 
trips,  Denning  had  accompanied  him,  receiving,  amid 
many  novel  sensations,  an  impression  of  the  remark- 
able resources  and  possibilities  of  the  country  through 
which  he  passed,  retained  by  his  practical  mind  for 
many  succeeding  years.  Hollingshead' s  leisure  time, 
between  these  irregular  trips,  was  spent  "with  the 
boys,"  but  he  never  allowed  his  dissipations  to  carry 
him  beyond  a  certain  point. 

Two  years  of  New  York  life — involving  a  series  of 
unsuccessful  speculations — effected  a  serious  diminu- 
2  17 


BREAKERS   AHEAD 

tion  in  Denning' s  exchequer.  After  footing  up  his 
losses,  he  made  the  astounding  discovery  that  his  pro- 
spective income  would  be  something  considerably  less 
than  the  niggardly  allowance  his  father  had  allotted 
him ;  indeed,  the  scorned  five  hundred  a  quarter 
loomed  up  in  quite  colossal  proportions  by  compari- 
son. He  took  Hollingshead  into  his  confidence  and  the 
latter,  finding  him  familiar  with  the  various  branches 
of  applied  mathematics,  turned  him  over  to  a  syndi- 
cate desirous  of  obtaining  a  surveyor  for  the  private 
survey  of  several  large  areas  of  mountainous  country, 
preparatory  to  the  purchase  of  some  coal  lands. 

About  the  same  time,  Denning' s  latest  divinity, 
feminine, — perhaps  because  she  "  divined"  his  ebb- 
ing fortune,  or  possibly  owing  to  an  inkling  of  some 
previous  amour — transferred  her  smiles  and  favors  to 
a  more  opulent  suitor.  This  fact  may  have  con- 
tributed to  the  willingness  with  which  he  accepted  the 
syndicate's  commission.  In  the  solitude  of  the  moun- 
tains he  might  mend  his  fortune  and  his  heart  at  the 
same  time.  Neither  was  broken,  but  each  a  little  out 
of  repair. 

One  of  his  club  associates,  on  hearing  of  his 
departure,  exclaimed,  with  his  usual  delicacy  of 
feeling : 

"Buried  himself  in  the  backwoods,  has  he!  Gad  I 
I  wonder  if  nymphs  and  dryads  will  fill  the  bill !  " 

He  found,  however,  neither  nymph  nor  dryad ; 
only  a  country  girl,  a  mountaineer's  child,  unedu- 
cated, unsophisticated.  She  was  not  even  beautiful, 
except  with  the  natural,  winsome  beauty  of  the  wild- 
flowers  that  smiled  up  into  his  face  from  the  moun- 
tain sides  and  which  he  unheedingly  crushed  beneath 

18 


WILD  OATS 

his  feet.  She  had  a  warm  heart  and  a  vivid  imagi- 
nation, with  a  sensitive  nature,  keenly  intuitive,  though 
lacking  the  ability  to  define,  even  to  herself,  her  im- 
pressions and  intuitions.  She  felt  vaguely  that  Den- 
ning was  of  a  world  above  and  beyond  her  own  and, 
woman-like  worshipped  him  accordingly. 

To  him,  the  little  rustic  was  only  a  new  type  of 
femininity,  the  more  interesting  because  novel.  Her 
shy,  gentle  homage  he  found  rather  soothing  to  his 
wounded  vanity  and  graciously  accepted  it.  What 
more  could  a  devotee  ask  of  its  idol?  Perhaps,  as 
Denning  afterward  reasoned,  the  psychological  moment 
for  both  had  arrived. 

She  was  the  only  daughter  of  the  family  with  which 
he  boarded.  It  was  she  who,  with  jealous  care,  pre- 
pared the  lunch  he  took  with  him  on  his  daily  journey 
into  the  mountains  5  who  kept  his  room  spotless,  and 
bright  with  flowers,  her  fingers  lingering  with  caress- 
ing touch  on  the  books  and  various  articles  belonging 
to  him,  her  thoughts  weaving  strange,  happy  fancies 
ot  him  through  the  long,  dreamy,  summer  days. 
What  more  natural  than  that,  as  the  shadows  length- 
ened, she  should  go  up  the  familiar  path  to  meet  him 
and  they  should  saunter  homeward  together,  loitering 
here  and  there,  gathering  the  late  flowers,  or  resting 
on  the  sun-flecked,  moss-carpeted  earth  beneath  the 
Gothic  arches  of  the  forest,  both  of  them  children  of 
Nature,  though  so  widely  separated  by  birth  and 
breeding. 

So  the  weeks  passed,  as  in  a  dream ;  and  then  had 
come  the  awakening.  The  dull,  sluggish  minds  of  the 
parents  were  finally  aroused.  Angry  questions  and 
incriminations  were  followed  by  admissions,  tearful 

19 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

and  shamefaced  on  the  part  of  the  girl,  dogged  and 
sullen  on  Denning' s  part.  Before  the  loud  vituper- 
ation of  the  father,  whose  threats  and  curses  fell  im- 
partially on  the  unhappy  couple,  Denning' s  defiance 
gradually  gave  way  to  diplomacy,  but  both  were 
alike  futile. 

A  day  or  two  later,  there  appeared  in  the  weekly 
paper  published  in  Alton,  a  village  five  miles  distant, 
the  following  notice : 

DENNING-HELDT — By  Justice  Hartley,  October  7,  18 — , 
Thomas  M.  Denning  and  Millicent  Heldt. 

Denning' s  only  consolation  as  he  read  the  foregoing 
lines,  was  that  the  circulation  of  the  paper  was  ex- 
ceedingly limited,  and  Thomas  M.  Denning  was  a 
name  unfamiliar  to  his  associates. 

"With  the  event  recorded  in  those  few  words  occurred 
the  second  epoch  in  Denning' s  life. 


20 


Ill 

THE  PARTING  OF  THE  WAYS 


POSSIBLY  some  of  Denning' s  associates  might 
scarcely  have  recognized  him  as  he  returned  to  the 
house  that  evening,  so  great  a  change  had  been 
wrought  in  him  since  leaving  it  in  the  early  afternoon. 
He  had  grown  years  older  in  those  few  hours  on  the 
mountain  side.  His  youth,  with  its  foibles  and  follies, 
had  dropped  from  him,  as  the  domino  drops  from  the 
masquerader  when  the  rout  is  over,  and  the  man,  as 
Nature  intended  him,  stood  forth  unveiled ;  the  son, 
not  only  of  his  father,  but  of  his  forefathers.  His 
bearing,  his  every  movement,  every  line  of  his  face 
expressed  a  fixed  purpose,  to  be  achieved  at  any  and 
every  cost. 

As  he  entered  the  room  where  Heldt  and  his  family 
were  seated  at  supper  and  took  his  place  at  the  table, 
the  others  felt  the  change  in  him,  without  compre- 
hending it.  Milly  kept  her  eyes  on  her  plate.  Mrs. 
Heldt  regarded  him  with  half-frightened  glances  as 
she  filled  and  passed  his  cup.  The  two  boys  stared 
stolidly  at  him.  Heldt  himself,  the  lowest  of  the 
group  in  the  scale  of  intelligence,  regarded  him  with 
a  senile  leer,  at  the  same  time  winking  furtively  at  his 
wife.  % 

Denning  had  nothing  to  say,  but  he  ate  with  a 
keener  relish  than  for  days.  After  supper,  he  lighted 

21 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Ms  pipe  and  going  into  the  woods  behind  the  house, 
gave  himself  to  plans  for  the  immediate  future. 

Meanwhile,  Heldt  shuffled  across  the  room  to  where 
his  wife  sat. 

"  He's  comin'  'round  all  right,"  he  announced 
with  a  low  chuckle.  lt  He's  one  o'  them  high- spirited 
colts  that  don't  stiddy  down  all  to  wunst,  but  I  never 
see  the  one  yit  that  I  couldn't  break,"  and  the  old 
man  wagged  his  grizzled  head  confidently. 

"  I  reckon  when  you  think  you've  got  this  'ere  one 
broke,  he'll  up  and  kick  the  traces,"  his  wife 
responded  sceptically. 

"Kickin'  won't  do  no  good  now,  and  he  knows  it  ef 
he's  got  good  horse  sense.  I  tell  ye,  he'll  settle  down 
all  right." 

When  Denning  knocked  the  ashes  from  his  pipe, 
preparatory  to  going  in  the  house,  his  plans  for  the 
next  few  weeks  were  definitely  laid.  He  would  sign 
and  mail  the  contract  the  following  day.  The  survey 
lacked  but  a  few  days  of  completion.  For  obvious 
reasons,  he  wished  to  make  his  stay  in  New  York, 
prior  to  his  departure  for  South  America,  as  brief  as 
possible.  He  therefore  decided  to  remain  where  he 
was  while  arranging  his  notes  of  survey  in  proper 
shape  and  preparing  his  final  report.  This  would 
require  some  two  or  three  weeks'  additional  work. 
By  that  time,  he  would  be  ready  to  return  to  New 
York  and  prepare  for  the  South  American  trip,  the 
date  for  which,  as  stipulated  in  the  contract,  was  on 
or  before  November  fifteenth.  Having  disposed  of 
these  details  to  his  satisfaction,  he  entered  the  house 
and  going  to  his  room,  locked  himself  in,  lighted  the 
lamp  and  sat  down  to  the  preparation  of  his  notes. 

22 


THE  PARTING  OF  THE  WAYS 

Hollingshead's  next  letter  added  new  fire  to  Den- 
ning's  already  enkindled  ambitions.  When  not  en- 
grossed in  his  work,  he  was  absorbed  in  schemes  that 
would  have  surprised  the  more  conservative  Hollings- 
head.  As  the  general,  in  his  tent,  plans  the  manoeu- 
vres of  the  coming  battle,  so  Denning,  in  his  humble 
chamber,  mapped  out  his  future  business  career. 
Naturally,  his  thoughts  were  pleasant  ones,  and  uncon- 
sciously to  himself,  they  lent  a  pleasanter  tone  to  his 
manners.  This  improvement,  Heldt  complacently 
attributed  to  the  l '  settlin'  down ' '  process,  though  his 
wife  remained  sceptical ;  but  Milly  felt  instinctively 
that  in  Denning' s  cool,  quiet  civility,  he  was  farther 
removed  from  her  than  in  his  anger. 

The  last  day  of  Denning' s  sojourn  in  the  mountains 
arrived  5  one  of  those  extraordinarily  beautiful  No- 
vember days  that  presage  the  coming  of  winter, — a 
"weather-breeder"  Heldt  termed  it.  So  quietly  had 
he  made  his  preparations  for  leaving,  they  had  aroused 
neither  question  nor  suspicion.  His  surveying  outfit, 
notes  and  reports  he  had  expressed  to  Hollingshead. 
There  remained  only  a  grip,  into  which  he  could 
hastily  pack  the  few  belongings  still  scattered  about 
his  room.  His  final  act,  the  preceding  day,  while  in 
the  nearest  town  on  business,  had  been  to  deposit  in 
the  bank  the  sum  of  twenty-five  hundred  dollars,  to 
the  credit  of  Millicent  Denning.  He  had  paused  and 
looked  at  the  name  after  writing  it.  It  struck  him 
unpleasantly.  He  did  not  begrudge  her  the  money, 
but  he  did  the  name.  He  would  gladly  have  doubled 
the  amount  of  the  deposit,  if  only  it  could  have  been 
made  in  the  name  of  Millicent  Heldt. 

But  on  this  last  day,  his  spirits  rose  exultingly.  A 
23 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

letter  from  Hollingshead,  received  that  morning, 
already  anticipating  their  departure,  whetted  his  own 
impatient  desire  to  be  gone.  He  wrote  a  few  letters — 
among  them,  one  to  Milly,  which  he  intended  mailing 
just  before  taking  the  train — then,  as  time  hung 
heavily  on  his  hands,  he  proposed  a  stroll,  to  which 
Milly,  with  a  look  of  faint  surprise,  assented.  They 
followed  the  familiar  path  up  the  mountain  and  seated 
themselves  in  the  little  clearing  where  they  had  sat  on 
that  October  afternoon,  a  few  weeks  before.  They 
remarked  the  change  in  the  woods  and  on  the  moun- 
tains since  that  time  ;  they  noted  the  low-lying  clouds 
along  the  western  horizon — harbingers  of  coming 
storm — but  gradually  Milly  grew  distraite,  answering 
in  monosyllables,  with  eyes  that  wandered  absently, 
till  Denning,  too,  became  silent.  She  sat  beside  him, 
her  hands  clasped  about  her  knees,  gazing  dreamily 
into  the  distance.  With  the  cessation  of  his  voice, 
she  seemed  to  have  forgotten  him,  to  be  unaware  of 
his  presence,  and  he  fell  to  studying  her  curiously,  the 
aversion  he  had  felt  for  her  of  late  held  in  abeyance 
for  the  moment. 

He  was  struck  by  the  peculiar  expression  of  her 
face,  a  sort  of  half-awed  wonder,  as  though  she  were 
face  to  face  with  some  mystery  beyond  her  comprehen- 
sion. There  was  a  brooding  look  in  the  dark,  limpid 
eyes,  that  grew  slowly  luminous  with  a  strange,  tender 
light  which  gradually  irradiated  the  plain  face  with 
something  like  beauty.  Denning  drew  in  his  breath 
quickly — he  had  never  seen  her  look  like  that — 
with  a  half  movement  toward  her  j  but,  quicker  than 
it  came,  the  light  was  gone.  The  gesture,  slight  as 
it  was,  had  roused  her,  though  she  did  not  realize 

24 


THE  PARTING  OF  THE  WAYS 

its  import.  She  turned  toward  him  questioningly 
and,  with  a  swift  revulsion  of  feeling,  he  rose  abruptly 
and  began  the  descent  homeward,  while  she  followed 
silently. 

The  few  remaining  hours  dragged  interminably ;  but 
at  last,  his  grip  packed,  Denning  awaited  in  his  room, 
the  coming  of  the  team  that  was  to  convey  him  to  the 
nearest  town  in  season  for  the  midnight  train  for  New 
York.  As  he  sat  by  the  open  window,  looking  down 
the  narrow,  winding  road  that  lost  itself  in  the  semi- 
darkness,  he  mentally  reviewed  the  situation.  He 
would  have  preferred  leaving  openly,  but  he  had  a 
man's  dread  of  a  "  scene,"  and  chose  this  method  of 
departure  as,  all  things  considered,  the  more  expedient. 

But  whatever  slight  scruple  he  may  have  felt  as  to 
his  manner  of  leaving,  he  had  absolutely  none  regard- 
ing the  act  itself.  To  attempt  to  identify  himself  with 
the  life  and  conditions  around  him  was  inconceivable. 
To  introduce  one  born  and  bred  under  those  conditions 
into  the  world  in  which  he  moved,  would  be  equally 
out  of  the  question.  The  course  he  had  adopted  was 
the  only  one  possible  under  the  circumstances ;  there 
was  simply  no  other  alternative. 

Concerning  Milly  herself,  he  felt  no  compunction. 
He  had  given  her  what  she  would  consider  a  fortune, 
in  addition  to  a  name  that  was,  to  him,  beyond  price. 
He  had  done  all  that  a  man  could  do. 

Sleep  had  descended  on  the  household,  while,  out- 
side, the  long  threatened  storm  was  gathering.  Dark 
clouds  covered  the  western  sky,  creeping  slowly  up- 
ward, while  the  pale  light  of  the  rising  moon,  at  times 
partially  obscured,  added  a  weird  effect  to  the  scene. 
Near  the  horizon  the  lightning  played  fitfully  ;  the  air 

25 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

grew  oppressive  and  intermittent  puffs  of  wind  flared 
the  lamp  burning  dimly  in  his  room,  then  suddenly 
extinguished  it. 

Denning  rose  and  cautiously  made  his  way  down- 
stairs. He  reflected  that  the  team  was  nearly  due ;  he 
would  wait  outside,  or  perhaps  walk  down  the  road  to 
meet  it.  He  found  the  outside  door  ajar,  and  as  he 
swung  it  noiselessly  open,  he  saw  Milly  standing  in 
the  low  porch,  with  face  uplifted,  watching  the  clouds. 
Her  back  was  toward  him  ;  she  had  neither  heard  nor 
seen  him.  Surprise  held  him  motionless  for  a  mo- 
ment. Then  the  thought  occurred  to  him  that  it  was 
better  so,  and  he  stepped  quickly  forth,  closing  the 
door  behind  him.  She  turned,  but  he  was  the  first  to 
speak. 

' '  What  are  you  doing  here  ? ' ' 

11 1  came  out  to  watch  the  storm.  There's  going  to 
be  a  thunderstorm  and  that  means  that  winter7 11  set 
in,  right  away.  I  shouldn't  be  surprised  if  this  winds 
up  in  a  snow-storm  to-morrow  or  next  day." 

The  clouds  fascinated  her ;  she  no  more  than  glanced 
at  Denning,  evidently  attributing  his  presence  there 
to  the  same  motive  as  her  own.  He  was  wondering 
how  best  to  begin  what  he  must  say,  when  she  sud- 
denly turned,  noting  for  the  first  time  the  grip  in  his 
hand  and  the  rain-coat  thrown  across  his  arm. 

"Why,  what — where  are  you  going?"  she  stam- 
mered. "You  surely  ain't  starting  for  town  this  time 
o' night!" 

"  Yes,  I'm  going  to  town." 

"But  how  are"  you  going  to  make  it,  so  late,  and  a 
storm  coming  up,  too  ?  ' ' 

"I  expect  a  team  to  come  for  me  in  a  few  minutes." 
26 


THE  PARTING  OF  THE  WAYS 

"  A  team  ! "  She  looked  at  him  in  bewilderment ; 
but  a  dim  comprehension  was  dawning  in  eyes  and 
voice.  Denning  put  down  the  grip  and  came  nearer. 

11 1  am  going  away,  Milly,  but  it's  for  the  best,  for 
both  of  us ;  for  you  as  well  as " 

II  You're  going  back  to — to  where  you  came  from — 
to  New  York?  "  she  interrupted  falteringly. 

"Yes." 

"And — you  don't  mean  to  come  back?  " 

II 1  am  not  coming  back." 

Even  in  the  uncertain  light,  he  saw  her  face  sud- 
denly grow  pale,  while  one  hand  involuntarily 
clutched  the  wooden  railing  behind  her,  but  there  was 
neither  word  nor  sound.  She  stared  dumbly,  seeming 
incapable  of  speech.  He  felt  baffled,  irritated.  He 
was  prepared  for  remonstrance,  reproaches,  pleadings, 
perhaps  ;  anything  but  this  stony  silence. 

"Don't  you  understand,  Milly,"  he  demanded  im- 
patiently, "  that  separation  is  the  only  course  for  us  ? 
That  it's  best  for  both  of  us? " 

11 1  reckon  'twon't  be  any  worse  than  the  last  month 
has  been, ' '  she  answered  apathetically. 

"That's  just  it,"  he  responded  eagerly;  "You 
can  see  for  yourself,  by  the  past  month's  experience, 
that  there's  no  use  in  our  attempting  to  keep  up  this 
way  of  living.  There  can  be  no  happiness  between 
two  people  unsuited  to  each  other — as  we  are." 

He  stopped,  suddenly  aware  that  she  did  not  hear 
him.  She  had  partially  turned  from  him,  and  as  the 
moon  lighted  for  a  moment  the  fast  deepening  dark- 
ness, he  saw  on  her  face  the  same  strange  expression 
it  had  worn  in  the  afternoon,  on  the  mountain  side. 
As  he  ceased  speaking,  however,  she  leaned  towards 

27 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

him,  with  lips  parted  and  breath  indrawn,  as  though 
about  to  speak  ;  yet  remained  silent,  looking  search- 
ingly  into  his  face. 

He  felt  the  need  of  haste  to  say  what  must  yet  be 
said. 

"  It  has  been  wretched  business,  Milly,  for  both  of 
us,  from  beginning  to  end.  I  want  you  to  forget  it  all 
and  I  have  tried  to  make  it  as  easy  for  you  as  I  could. 
I  have  put  some  money  in  the  bank  for  you  ;  it  is 
yours,  your  own,  to  use  as  you  please.  " 

He  spoke  the  last  words  with  emphasis,  fearing  she 
had  not  heard  them,  and  her  reply  showed  she  had 
not. 

' '  You  say  you  want  me  to  forget  it  all ;  is  that  what 
you're  going  to  do  ?  " 

"  Heaven  knows  I  hope  so!"  he  exclaimed  ;  "I 
am  going  to  forget  all  this  foolishness  and  settle  down 
to  a  different  sort  of  life,  the  kind  of  life  I  was 
intended  for." 

"Then,"  she  clasped  her  hands  tightly  and  there 
was  a  slight  tremor  in  her  voice,  "then  if  you  are 
going  to  forget  this — this  foolishness,  as  you  call  it — 
you  wouldn't  want  anything  that  would — would  make 
you  remember  it,  would  you?  " 

11  That  would  remind  me  of  it  ?    "So  \ " 

"You  are  sure?"  she  queried,  with  strange 
insistence. 

"Of  course  I  am.  I  never  want  to  think  of  it 
again,"  he  replied,  almost  brutally. 

To  his  surprise,  a  look  of  relief  crossed  her  face, 
and  she  drew  herself  up  with  a  little  gesture  of 
womanly  dignity  altogether  new.  He  could  understand 
neither  the  movement  nor  the  expression. 

28 


THE  PARTING  OF  THE  WAYS 

"  I  am  glad  you  take  it  so  sensibly,"  he  said,  after 
a  pause  in  which  he  had  waited  for  her  to  speak  ; 
"  Forget  me  ;  forget  this  whole  affair.  You  can.  get  a 
divorce  on  the  ground  of  desertion,  you  know  ;  and 
I  hope  that  by  and  by,  you  will  marry  some  one  who 
will  make  you  happy." 

The  pale,  spectral  light  had  been  swallowed  up  in 
the  fast  gathering  blackness.  He  could  not  see  her 
face,  but  there  was  that  in  her  voice  that  made  him 
fancy  a  smile  was  on  her  lips,  as  she  replied  gently  : 

11  You  don't  know  much  about  me  to  talk  like  that ! 
I  ain't  one  of  the  kind  that  forgets." 

Above  the  roar  of  the  oncoming  storm,  Denning 
caught  the  sound  of  hoof-beats  coming  up  the  road. 

11  The  team  is  coming,  I  must  go  ! "  he  said,  hastily 
slipping  on  his  rain- coat  and  picking  up  his  grip  ; 
"  Good  by,  Milly.  I  would  rather  you  did  forget ;  it 
would  be  better  for  us  both." 

"You  needn't  be  afraid,"  she  answered  steadily, 
out  of  the  darkness,  and  her  voice  had  the  same  qual- 
ity as  before  ;  "  I  shan't  ever  do  anything  you'll  need 
to  be  ashamed  of ! " 

A  flash  of  lightning  gave  him  a  parting  glimpse  of 
her  as  he  turned  to  leave.  She  stood  erect  against 
the  storm,  heeding  neither  wind  nor  rain  ;  her  child- 
ish form,  revealed  through  the  scant,  wind-tossed 
garments,  invested  with  new  dignity ;  her  dark  eyes 
lighting  her  pale  face,  and — a  smile  on  the  parted 
lips,  just  as  he  had  imagined. 


29 


IV 

CONCERNING  A  PRODIGAL  SON 

WHEN  Denning  and  Hollingshead  left  for  South 
America,  the  latter  had  fixed  five  years  as  the  limit  of 
their  stay  in  that  country,  but  twice  five  years  passed 
before  their  return.  An  important  factor,  which  Hol- 
lingshead had  not  taken  into  consideration,  but  which 
speedily  forced  itself  upon  his  observation,  was  the 
change — mysterious  as  it  was  marvellous — in  Denning. 
A  shrewd,  tactful,  dominant  man  of  business  had 
taken  the  place  of  the  devil-may-care  youth  whom 
Hollingshead  and  his  set  had  known.  Who  or  what 
had  wrought  the  sudden  metamorphosis,  seemed,  how- 
ever, likely  to  remain  a  mystery,  since  Denning  him- 
self became  strangely  taciturn  whenever  the  subject 
was  broached. 

It  had  been  the  younger  man  who,  from  the  begin- 
ning, had  assumed  charge  of  the  business  in  hand ; 
evincing  such  ability  both  to  plan  and  to  execute,  and 
carrying  forward  the  enterprise  on  a  scale  so  far  ex- 
ceeding the  ideas  of  the  slower  going  Hollingshead, 
that  the  latter  soon  found  himself  occupying  a  second- 
ary position.  This  state  of  affairs  he  accepted  ur- 
banely and  at  the  expiration  of  the  ten  years,  was 
still  good-naturedly  wondering  at  the  transposition  by 
which  he  and  Denning  had  changed  places. 

On  their  last  night  out,  on  their  return  trip,  they 
were  seated  on  deck,  each  absorbed  in  his  own  reflec- 

30 


CONCERNING   A  PRODIGAL  SON 

tions ;  but  even  the  most  casual  observer  would  have 
surmised  a  wide  difference  in  the  trend  of  their 
thoughts. 

Denning  lay  back  in  his  chair,  his  hands  clasped 
firmly  beneath  his  head ;  with  cap  pulled  low  over 
the  half-closed  eyes  fixed  with  such  persistent  but 
unseeing  gaze  on  the  scarcely  distinguishable  line 
where  sea  and  sky  met.  His  lips  were  tightly  com- 
pressed about  the  unlighted  cigar  which  he  turned 
and  twisted  between  his  teeth  with  a  sort  of  savage 
restlessness. 

Hollingshead  lounged  negligently,  nearby ;  his  at- 
tention divided  between  his  cigar,  which  he  smoked 
with  a  cool,  deliberate  enjoyment,  and  a  letter  lying 
open  upon  his  knee.  From  time  to  time,  his  glance 
wandered,  half-smilingly,  to  his  companion's  face ; 
then,  meeting  no  recognition,  roved  indifferently  over 
sky  and  sea  and  returned  to  the  letter. 

At  last,  becoming  restive  under  the  long  silence,  he 
kicked  Denning  playfully. 

"  I  say,  Mac,  old  man  ! " 

"Well!" 

"  'Well'  !"  mocked  Hollingshead,  " Suppose  you 
drop  your  eternal  figuring  and  calculating  for  a  while, 
and  concentrate  your  attention  on  something  outside 
of  dollars  and  cents." 

Denning  glanced  at  his  friend  with  a  tolerant  smile, 
as  he  proceeded  to  light  his  cigar. 

1  i  Something  is  weighing  on  your  mind,  Dick.  Out 
with  it!" 

Business  life  had  developed  in  Denning  a  habit  of 
speaking  directly  to  the  point,  with  as  little  circumlo- 
cution as  possible.  His  few  remaining  English  idioms 

31 


BREAKERS    AHEAD 

seldom  betrayed  themselves,  except  on  some  rare 
occasion  of  conviviality  among  his  own  countrymen. 

His  cigar  lighted,  he  assumed  an  attitude  of  atten- 
tion, while  Hollingshead  read  the  letter — containing 
an  invitation  from  the  club  they  had  oftenest  frequented 
to  a  reunion  to  be  held  in  honor  of  their  return,  by 
such  of  the  former  kindred  spirits  as  still  remained — 
and  unfolded  a  number  of  projects,  for  the  diversion 
of  themselves  and  their  friends,  upon  their  arrival. 

Denning  listened,  but  an  undercurrent  of  thought 
flowed  on  uninterruptedly,  in  the  same  channel  as 
before ;  one  which  Hollingshead  little  suspected. 

In  a  foreign  country,  amid  unfamiliar  scenes,  ab- 
sorbed in  business,  Denning  had  found  the  task  of 
"  forgetting,"  to  which  he  had  set  himself,  easier  than 
he  expected.  What  had  seemed  an  irremediable  mis- 
take, likely  to  overshadow  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
came  to  be  scarcely  a  memory ;  something  recalled 
only  in  rarely  reminiscent  moments,  or  sometimes  in 
the  silence  of  the  night.  But  on  this  return  voyage, 
foremost  among  the  old  memories  which,  revivified, 
crowded  upon  his  mind  demanding  recognition,  was 
the  image  of  the  simple-hearted  child  of  the  moun- 
tains whom,  he  had  flattered  himself,  he  had  forgot- 
ten. There  was  no  touch  of  sentiment  in  the  recol- 
lection of  her  ;  nothing  but  repugnance.  But  scorn 
her  memory  as  he  might,  he  could  not  banish  the 
thought  that,  in  all  probability,  she  yet  lived,  per- 
haps still  bearing  his  name,  and  each  league  was 
bringing  them  nearer.  It  was  insufferable !  Why 
had  he  not  insisted,  that  night,  upon  a  divorce— laid 
his  commands  upon  her  ?  Not  that  he  had  any  wish 
ever  to  marry — no  more  such  folly  as  that  for  him  ! — 

32 


CONCERNING  A  PRODIGAL  SON 

but  what  would  he  not  give  to  know  for  a  certainty 
that  he  was  free  from  her  ;  that  she  was  divorced, 
or, 

11 1  say,  Mac,  you  know,  it's  awfully  clever  of  the 
boys  to  think  of  us  and  we'll  show  them  we  haven't 
forgotten  the  ropes  !  We  can  jolly  well  afford  it,  by 
Jove  !  and  we'll " 

"Do  whatever  you  like,  Dick,  of  course,  but  don't 
count  on  me,"  Denning  interposed.  "You  will  have 
to  make  my  excuses  to  the  boys,  as  I  shall  remain  in 
New  York  only  a  few  hours " 

"  The  deuce  you  say  ! " 

"Just  long  enough  to  arrange  matters  with  the 
company  and  get  my  banking  attended  to,"  Denning 
concluded  calmly. 

"  And  then,  what  do  you  propose?  " 

"  I  shall  take  the  first  train  "West." 

"West !"  Hollingshead  repeated  blankly,  "Where 
to?  Chicago?" 

"  I  shall  not  stop  in  Chicago  more  than  a  day  or  so." 
Denning  paused  and  with  great  deliberation  tapped 
the  ashes  from  his  cigar  ;  "I'm  going  out  among  the 
mines,  to  look  about  a  bit." 

"  Well,  I'll  be— damned  ! " 

A  silence  followed,  in  which  Hollingshead  puffed 
violently  at  his  cigar,  while  Denning  relapsed  into 
abstraction. 

"  I  say,  Mac  ;  when  did  this  thing  occur  to  you  t " 

"I've  had  it  vaguely  in  mind  for  some  time,"  Den- 
ning answered  evasively,  "but  it  didn't  come  to 
anything  definite  till  within  the  last  day  or  so." 

Hollingshead  groaned  :    i  i  Might  have  known  it ! 
Such  a  fit  of  abstraction  as  you've  had  the  last  twelve 
3  33 


BREAKERS    AHEAD 

hours  could  mean  nothing  else  than  that  your  brain 
was  incubating  some  new  scheme  !  But  why  can't  you 
use  some  moderation,  Mac  1  You  always  carry  things 
to  extremes ;  you  did  in  the  old  days,  you  know,  and 
you  do  now  in  money  making.  After  working  as  we 
have  for  ten  years,  what's  the  sense  of  starting  right 
in  again  on  the  same  old  grind  ?  " 

"You  are  at  liberty,  Dick,  to  amuse  yourself  as 
you  choose,  but  I  insist  on  a  like  privilege  of  choice 
myself." 

"  Oh,  choice  be — hanged  !  A  fellow  has  a  right  to 
express  an  opinion,  hasn't  he?  If  you  want  to  amuse 
yourself  nosing  around  underground,  you're  welcome 
to.  I'm  jolly  well  done  with  the  business." 

"Not  so  far  done  with  it  either,  but  that  you'll 
follow  me,  if  I  wire  you." 

11  You  want  to  wager  anything  on  that  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  anything  you  like." 

Hollingshead  glanced  curiously  at  Denning,  but  the 
face  of  the  latter  was  inscrutable. 

"Whatever  put  the  West  into  your  head,  Mac!" 
he  asked,  after  a  pause  ;  "  Isn't  New  York  big  enough 
for  your  operations  ?  " 

"New  York  doesn't  offer  the  kind  of  chances  I 
want,"  Denning  answered  shortly.  He  blew  a  long, 
thin  column  of  smoke  into  the  air  and  watched  it 
waver,  diffuse  itself  and  disappear. 

"Do  you  remember,  Dick,  taking  me  on  one  of 
your  Western  trips  when  I  first  came  to  the  States  ? 
Well,  I  wasn't  doing  much  in  those  days  except  sow- 
ing my  wild  oats,  but  it  struck  me  even  then  that 
there  was  the  country  for  a  man  with  lots  of  capital, 
common-sense  and  experience — it  would  take  all 

34 


CONCERNING  A  PRODIGAL  SON 

three,  every  time — to  get  the  quickest  kind  of  return 
on  his  investment.  Now,  I've  got  the  capital  and  the 
experience,  and  a  grain  or  two  of  common-sense,  and 
I'm  going  to  put  my  theory  to  the  test." 

"Well,"  returned  Hollingshead  disgustedly,  "all  I 
have  to  say  is,  that  if  you  haven't  any  aspiration  be- 
yond money-grubbing,  I  don't  see  why  you  ever  left 
South  America." 

Denning  tossed  his  cigar  over  the  deck-rail  with  an 
impatient  movement. 

"I  was  going  to  comment  on  your  aspirations, 
Dick,  but  I  guess  it's  unnecessary." 

"  By  Jove  !  I  haven't  degenerated  into  a  mere  ma- 
chine, a  mathematical  automaton  for  computing  inter- 
est and  percentages.  I  believe  in  relaxation,  in  social 
intercourse  ;  it  expands  the  mind  and  broadens  one's 
views  and " 

"I  remember  it  frequently  expanded  my  head,  but 
my  views  were  usually  rather  befuddled,"  Denning 
retorted,  with  a  laugh.  "Hollingshead,  old  fellow,  if 
I  hadn't  any  higher  aspiration  than  a  club  dinner  now 
and  then,  with  a  lot  of  asses,  I  wouldn't  consider  life 
worth  living  ! ' ' 

"You  used  to  think  them  deucedly  clever  fel- 
lows  " 

"Yes,  same  as  I  used  to  think  you  had  some 
common-sense  !  They  were  clever  enough  that  they 
could  give  me  all  the  help  I  required  to  squander  one 
fortune,  and  they're  still  clever  enough  to  be  all 
agape,  ready  to  help  squander  another.  Hollingshead, 
you  blooming  old  idiot,  how  much  notice  do  you 
suppose  they  would  have  taken  of  our  return  if  we 
had  come  back  dead  broke?" 

35 


BREAKERS   AHEAD 

Denning  paused  a  moment.  Hollingshead  moved 
uneasily  in  his  chair,  but  said  nothing. 

"  Because  we  haven't,  they  are  simply  waiting  to  do 
the  grand  hold-up  act,  and  you,  like  the  good-natured 
simpleton  you  are,  will  esteem  it  an  honor  to  be  held 
up  !  What  did  any  one  of  them  ever  do  for  me  after 
I  had  spent  my  money  on  them  !  You  were  the  only 
one  of  the  lot  to  stand  by  me,  and  it's  out  of  pure 
gratitude  that  I'm  standing  by  you  now,  in  your 
approaching  senility  and  imbecility." 

"  Thanks,  awfully  !  "  Hollingshead  muttered  ;  then 
tossing  away  his  cigar,  he  rose  and  began  pacing  up 
and  down  in  front  of  Denning. 

u'Pon  my  word,  though,  Mac,  how  you've  changed 
from  those  days  !  Nobody  then  would  have  thought 
you'd  ever  be  the  cynical,  avaricious,  old  money- 
grubber  that  you  are  !  " 

Denning  had  risen  and  seated  himself  on  the  deck- 
rail,  and  was  looking  moodily  out  over  the  dark 
waters. 

"A  woman-hater,  too!"  Hollingshead  continued; 
"  Could  there  have  been  anything  more  improbable  ! 
Usually,"  he  added  slowly,  with  a  shrewd  glance  at 
the  broad  shoulders  so  persistently  turned  toward  him, 
"usually,  you  know,  there's  a  woman  in  the  case. 
I've  sometimes  fancied,  Mac,  that  'La  Petite,'  as  we 
used  to  call  her,  figured  in  this  one  of  yours,  though 
I'd  no  idea  at  the  time  that  you  were  so — well,  so  jolly 
hard  hit,  don't  you  know." 

11  Hollingshead,  you're  an  ass  ! " 

Denning  turned,  with  a  short  laugh,  as  he  spoke, 
and  paced  a  few  steps  on  the  deck. 

11 A  fellow  can't  go  on  eternally  sowing  wild  oats, 
36 


CONCERNING   A  PRODIGAL  SON 

and  heaven  knows,  I  put  in  a  good-sized  crop  as  it 
was  !  It  was  simply  the  old  story  of  the  Prodigal  Son, 
with  some  slight  modifications — modernized,  so  to 
speak.  Like  him,  when  I  had  wasted  my  substance 
in  riotous  living,  I  came  to  myself — in  other  words, 
saw  myself  for  the  blithering  idiot  I  was.  The  main 
difference  lay  in  the  fact  that  I  didn't  go  back  to  the 
pater,  but  stuck  it  out  and  made  another  fortune. ' ' 

11  Yes,  stuck  it  out  with  the  swine  and  the  devils,  by 
Jove  ! ' '  supplemented  the  other  feelingly. 

"The  ' devils'?  Why,  what  are  you  talking 
about  t" 

"  Why,  the  Prodigal  Son,  of  course.  He  was  feed- 
ing swine,  wasn't  he?  Well,  didn't  the  devils  pitch 
the  whole  herd  of  '  em  into  the  sea,  so  that  he  lost  his 
job?" 

"I'm  afraid  you're  not  l  up '  in  Scripture,  Dick.  It 
strikes  me  you've  got  that  mixed.  If  there  was  any 
such  sequel,  I  don't  recall  it." 

"H'm  !  I  thought  that  was  where  the  hard  times 
came  in,  that  reminded  him  of  the  roast  beef  and  plum 
pudding  at  home,  you  know." 

Silence  followed.  Denning' s  gaze  roved  restlessly 
across  the  waters,  seeing,  however,  only  a  wistful, 
half-pathetic  face  with  dark  eyes  strangely  alight  and 
lips  that  parted  in  a  faint,  inscrutable  smile,  as  the 
lightning  had  revealed  it  on  that  night,  long  ago. 

He  started,  with  an  impatient  movement ;  "  Gad  !  I 
don't  know  what's  the  matter  with  me  to-night !  I'm 
going  down  to  get  a  whiskey  and  soda.  It  was  noth- 
ing but  reversion  to  type,  Dick,  the  change  you  spoke 
of.  There  comes  a  time  when  what  is  born  and  bred 
in  a  man  has  got  to  come  out.  You  never  kneT7  my 

37 


BREAKERS   AHEAD 

people,  Dick ;  but  my  father  and  grandfather — and 
my  great-grandfathers  before  them — have  been  among 
England's  leading  business  men  ;  men  who  were  mighty 
forces  in  the  world  of  finance.  You  insinuated,  a  while 
ago,  that  I  had  no  aspiration  beyond  money-getting. 
If  I  were  a  clod  like  you,  with  no  aspiration — or  am- 
bition, to  me,  the  words  are  synonymous — beyond 
having  a  good  time  as  I  went  along,  I  suppose  some  of 
my  opinions  might  be  as  imbecile  as  yours,  but  I  think 
I  would  at  least  keep  them  to  myself.  But  my  money- 
grubbing,  as  you  call  it,  is  all  for  a  purpose,  and  mark 
my  words,  Hollingshead,  when  that  purpose  is  achieved 
— as  it  must  and  will  be — I  will  stand  in  the  financial 
world  of  America  where  my  father  stands  to-day  in  the 
financial  world  of  Great  Britain." 

"  Good  for  you,  Mac,  old  man  !  Go  in  and  win,  with 
my  blessing  5  and  when  you've  won,  your  idiotic  and 
impecunious  friend  will  know  where  to  go  for  a  loan, 
if  his  finances  happen  to  be  at  ebb  tide." 

"No,  no  loan  to  you  would  go,  Dick;  I  wouldn't 
lend  you  a  cent !  But  you  can  always  have  whatever 
you  want  and  welcome,  and  you  know  it.  "Well,  I  see 
you're  going  in  for  another  smoke,  so  good-night." 

A  cigar  did  not  seem  to  satisfy,  so  Hollingshead 
pulled  out  his  pipe,  and  after  filling  and  lighting  it, 
puffed  abstractedly  for  the  next  three-quarters  of  an 
hour.  As  he  replaced  it  in  his  pocket,  he  muttered  : 

11  As  I  thought,  a  woman  in  the  case,  but  who  ?  It 
must  have  been  '  La  Petite,' — there  was  no  one  else — 
but  I  wouldn't  have  believed  it,  by  Jove  ! " 


38 


V 

THE  SKELETON  AT  THE  FEAST 

BUSINESS  detained  Denning  in  New  York  longer 
then  he  anticipated  and  it  was  not  until  the  even- 
ing of  the  third  day  that  he  finally  found  himself 
aboard  the  "Western  Express.  Body  and  brain  were 
nearly  exhausted  with  weariness,  but  before  retiring 
for  the  night,  he  went  into  the  smoker  and  withdraw- 
ing as  far  as  possible  from  the  other  occupants,  gave 
himself  up  to  his  cigar  and  reflection.  Not  until  that 
moment  had  he  known  how  wearied  he  was,  and  not 
until  a  half  hour  later,  as  he  listened  abstractedly  to 
the  rhythmic  pulsations  of  the  mighty  mechanism, 
throbbing  with  an  almost  sentient  life,  did  he  become 
distinctly  conscious  of  a  sense  of  relief,  deepening 
into  an  intense  satisfaction,  as  he  realized  that  each 
revolution  of  the  wheels  was  speeding  him  farther 
and  farther  from  scenes  which  had  evoked  only 
unpleasant  memories. 

As  he  recalled  the  three  days  since  his  landing,  he 
seemed  like  a  man  awakening  from  a  nightmare 
against  which  he  has  been  futilely  struggling.  He 
could  scarcely  account  now  for  the  vague,  haunting 
fear  which  had  taken  and  held  possession  of  him  on 
his  return ;  the  dread  of  some  question  or  comment, 
some  unlocked  for  event,  some  sudden,  unwelcome  rec- 
ognition, which  might  betray  his  secret — or,  at  least, 

39 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

its  existence — and  which,  had  led  him  to  avoid  his  old 
associates,  and  even  to  covertly  scan  the  faces  of  the 
hurrying,  thronging  crowds.  Perhaps  he  had  been 
morbidly  sensitive ;  it  seemed  so,  now  that  the  in- 
cubus was  lifted  and  he  could  again  breathe  easily. 
He  had  committed  no  crime,  that  he  should  feel  like 
a  fugitive  with  a  price  upon  his  head  ;  only  an  indis- 
cretion— common  enough,  heaven  knows  ! — for  which 
he  had  made  abundant  reparation.  Ah  !  how  the 
thought  of  that  stung,  even  yet !  That  wretched 
mesalliance  !  What  if  he  had  met  her  I  What  would 
she  be  Jtke  now  !  What  sort  of  a  life  might  she  be 
living  ?  Perhaps  still  bearing  his  name  !  He  writhed 
inwardly.  God  !  what  would  he  not  give  to  be  free. 

A  sudden  lurch  of  the  train  roused  Denning  from 
his  revery.  He  discovered  his  cigar  out  and  himself 
alone.  He  rang  for  a  whiskey  and  soda ;  then,  re- 
turning to  the  sleeper,  made  his  way  between  the 
oddly  bulging  curtains — the  rocking  of  the  train 
bringing  him  in  collision  with  various  portions  of  the 
human  anatomy,  which  sometimes  elicited  responses 
brief  and  to  the  point — to  his  own  berth,  where,  for 
hours  he  lay  planning  as  usual  for  the  future. 

Meanwhile,  at  the  club  reunion,  Hollingshead  was 
presenting  Denning' s  excuses,  but  in  a  style  peculiar 
to  himself. 

No,  Denning  really  couldn't  come.  Deuced  sorry, 
you  know,  but  called  away  at  the  last  minute ;  sent 
his  regrets  and  all  that  sort  of  thing.  Yes,  had  to 
leave  the  city  on  business  5  saw  him  off  on  the  seven- 
thirty.  Going  West,  you  know.  Got  a  big  mining 
deal  on  hand  out  there,  besides  two  or  three  railroads 
he's  negotiating  for,  some  options  to  be  looked  after, 

40 


THE  SKELETON  AT  THE  FEAST 

and  no  end  of  smaller  schemes  too  numerous  to  men- 
tion. Busy  ?  Well,  rather !  Greatest  business  man 
you  ever  saw;  financier  right  from  the  word  "go." 
The  B.  &  W.?  Oh,  yes,  they  simply  took  him  right 
into  the  bosom  of  the  family,  so  to  speak  !  Made  him 
general  manager  at  the  end  of  two  years ;  and  in  less 
than  five  years,  director,  with  a  controlling  interest, 
and  his  choice  of  three  marriageable  daughters.  Yes, 
sir  ;  damned  if  the  president  himself  didn't  come  down 
there  and  throw  'em  all  at  his  head  !  I  don't  know 
but  he  could  have  had  all  three  of  'em  if  he'd  wanted. 
I'd  jolly  well  like  to  see  two  or  three  heiresses  thrown 
my  way  ;  I'd  pick  'em  up  fast  as  they  came  !  Mac? 
Never  turned  a  hair,  by  Jove  !  Confirmed  bachelor^ 
you  know,  the  most  rabid  sort,  regular  woman-hater  I 
Yes,  Mac's  a  queer  fellow.  What's  that?  "La 
Petite?"  Oh,  you  remember  that,  do  you?  Yesr 
I've  sometimes  thought — What?  Eeally?  Got  a  di- 
vorce, has  she  ?  Well,  well !  I  must  tell  Mac  of  that. 
But  mark  what  I  say,  boys  ;  Mac's  going  to  make  a 
record,  all  right !  He's  after  something — I  don't 
know  just  what — and  he'll  get  it,  by  Jove  !  He's 
got  the  American  go-at-it-tiveness,  don't  you  know, 
backed  by  the  good  old  English,  bull-dog  stick-to-it- 
tiveness,  and  that's  a  combination  damned  hard  to 
beat! 

Six  weeks  later,  when  Hollingshead,  in  response  to 
a  telegram  from  Denning,  rejoined  the  latter  at  the 
mining  town  of  Shasta,  he  discovered  his  own  fanciful 
enumeration  of  the  other's  financial  interests  to  be 
not  so  much  of  an  exaggeration,  after  all. 

Denning  met  him  at  the  station,  in  corduroys  and 
41 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

leather  leggings,  with  soft  slouch  hat  tipped  rakishly 
to  one  side,  bespattered  with  mud  from  top  to  toe. 
Hollingshead  stared,  for  Denning  was  still  fastidious 
in  dress,  one  of  the  old-time  traits  which  yet  re- 
mained. The  steel-blue  eyes  of  the  latter  lighted 
with  something  like  his  former  boyish  mirth. 

"Well,  old  mutton-chops,  how  are  you?  My  wire 
brought  you  all  right,  didn't  it?  " 

11 1  say,  Mac,  my  boy,  'pon  my  word,  I  didn't  know 
you  !  Have  you  taken  to  drink,  or  what's  the 
matter?" 

Denning  laughed:  "You'll  soon  find  out  what's 
the  matter  if  you  don't  get  down  to  business  !  Here, 
let  me  take  some  of  that  luggage  ;  there  is  plenty  of 
room  for  it  under  the  back  seat." 

He  led  the  way  to  a  double-seated  runabout,  behind 
a  pair  of  slim-bodied,  western-bred  horses,  the  entire 
outfit  more  mud-spattered  than  himself. 

"I  say,  old  leather  stockings,  is  this  real  estate  for 
sale?" 

Denning  paused  and  lifted  an  inquiring  glance  from 
his  task  of  packing  away  the  luggage.  Hollingshead 
pointed  to  the  mud. 

11  How  much  is  it  a  square  foot,  you  know  ?  " 

The  packing  was  resumed  with  vigor  and  a  single 
emphatic  expletive  sounded  from  out  the  depths 
under  the  rear  seat. 

Once  fairly  started  on  their  way,  Denning  unfolded 
his  plans. 

"You  see,  Dick,  the  reason  I  sent  such  urgent 
wire,  it's  an  almighty  big  proposition,  and  the  whole 
thing  hangs  on  your  decision." 

"  What's  the  figures,  Mac?  " 
42 


THE  SKELETON  AT  THE  FEAST 

"The  price  of  the  mine  is  seventy-five  thousand; 
fifty  down,  the  balance  in  six  months." 

Hollingshead  looked  puzzled:  "But,  I  thought 
you  said ' ' 

"  That  is  the  price  of  the  mine,  understand.  If  I 
buy  it,  however,  I  shall  put  about  seventy-five  thou- 
sand dollars'  worth  of  improvements  on  the  prop- 
erty— a  new  mill,  machinery,  and  so  on.  I  shall 
get  control  of  a  railroad  lying  to  the  west  of  the  prop- 
erty— a  branch  of  the  N.  W. — and  build  a  spur  of  my 
own  to  meet  it.  There  is  a  lot  of  good  land  lying  idle 
just  where  this  spur  will  join  the  other  line  ;  I  shall 
buy  that  up,  stake  it  off  into  town  lots  and  start  a 
town  there  at  the  junction,  for  our  base  of  supplies, 
that,  in  less  than  five  years,  will  make  lively  com- 
petition for  Shasta." 

Hollingshead' s  perplexity  increased:  "  All  this 
expenditure  on  a  seventy-five  thousand  dollar  mine  ? 
Profits  will  be  rather  slow,  won't  they  f  " 

"Kot  if  the  mine  is  what  I  think  it  is,  and  that's 
what  I  want  you  to  decide.  You  remember  the  Pen- 
vallon,  don't  you,  Dick  ;  the  one  you  reported  on 
years  ago,  at  the  time  I  came  out  with  you  !  " 

11  Jove  !  yes ;  turned  out  to  be  one  of  the  greatest 
producers  in  the  country,  just  as  I  said  it  would." 

""Well  unless  I'm  greatly  mistaken,  the  Bonnibel  is 
on  the  same  vein  as  the  Penvallon." 

"  The  deuce,  you  say  !  " 

1  i  Your  description  of  that  mine  made  quite  an  im- 
pression on  me  at  the  time.  I  remembered  some  of 
the  peculiar  characteristics  you  mentioned,  and  I  was 
struck  by  the  same  characteristics  in  the  report  given 
me  of  the  Bonnibel.  I  knew  it  was  comparatively  near 

43 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

the  Penvallon,  so  I  got  one  of  the  experts  out  here  and 
we  investigated,  with  the  result  that  we  are  both  con- 
fident the  Bonnibel  is  practically  on  the  same  vein. 
The  owners  say  they  have  a  good  thing,  but  that  it  is 
rather  inaccessible  and  transportation  charges  over  the 
G.  &B.  are  enormous  and  they  haven't  the  capital  to 
work  it.  But  we  discovered  that  they  have,  in  real- 
ity, lost  the  original  lead — on  account  of  a  peculiar 
dip — and  the  probabilities  are  they  haven't  any  idea 
how  good  a  thing  they  have  got." 

"  And  your  idea  of  building  a  spur  to  connect  with 
the  other  line  is  to  reduce  transportation  charges?" 

"  Partly  that.  I'll  kill  several  birds  with  one  stone. 
A  number  of  mine  owners  in  the  vicinity  will  ship 
over  my  line  if  I  build,  and  a  little  competition  will 
be  a  good  thing  for  the  G.  &  B.  They've  had  a 
monopoly  too  long." 

"Yes,  and  it's  your  way  of  doing  business,  to  buy 
the  earth — if  you  can — and  run  it  to  suit  yourself." 

A  few  days  later,  the  two  were  seated  in  a  small 
room  in  the  log  building  which  did  duty  as  office  on 
the  mining  property.  On  the  pine  table  between  them 
was  a  large  plat  of  the  mine,  showing  the  under- 
ground workings,  on  which  Hollingshead  had  just 
traced  the  course  followed  in  his  examination.  Be- 
side the  plat  were  an  assayer's  report  and  some  speci- 
mens of  ore.  Hollingshead  sat  with  arms  folded  on 
the  table,  watching  Denning  with  a  curious  half-smile. 
The  latter,  though  silent  and  almost  motionless,  was 
more  excited  than  the  other  had  ever  seen  him.  His 
face  was  tense  and  rigid  with  his  efforts  to  control  his 
feelings,  but  the  swelling  veins  in  forehead  and  neck 
and  his  slowly  rising  color  told  the  tale.  His  eyes 

44 


THE  SKELETON  AT  THE  FEAST 

followed  the  tracing  to  the  end,  then  were  lifted  to 
Hollingshead' s  face,  shining  with  excitement,  but 
keen,  cold  as  steel  itself. 

"  You  are  sure,  Hollingshead  ?  " 

There  was  such  an  implied  weight  of  finality  in  his 
tone  that  Hollingshead  involuntarily  paused,  before 
replying. 

'  •  Damned  sure  ! ' ' 

This  was  his  most  emphatic  form  of  asseveration. 

Denning' s  only  response  was  to  take  out  his  check- 
book and  write  out  a  check — his  hand  trembling 
slightly  as  he  signed  it — which  he  silently  tossed 
toward  Hollingshead.  Nothing  had  been  said  regard- 
ing his  remuneration,  but  Denning  knew  his  usual 
rates  and  a  casual  glance  at  it  as  it  lay  on  the  table, 
showed  Hollingshead  that  he  had  doubled  the  amount. 
He  understood  his  chum  too  well,  however,  to  make 
any  comment. 

"Much  obliged,  old  man,"  he  said,  picking  it  up 
and  slipping  it  within  his  vest  pocket  with  elaborate 
carelessness. 

A  short  silence  followed,  broken  by  Hollingshead. 

' '  I  congratulate  you,  Mac  !  " 

11  Hold  on  a  minute,  Dick  ;  there's  Pete.  I  want  to 
speak  to  him." 

He  sprang  to  his  feet  and  going  to  the  door,  ordered 
the  horses  and  runabout. 

"  Let's  go  to  town,  Dick,"  he  exclaimed  as  he 
again  faced  his  companion  ;  "Gad  !  I  can't  stay  up 
here  to-night,  on  top  of  this  news  !  I've  got  to  work 
it  off  some  way." 

"But  it's  nearly  five  o'clock,  old  man, " 

"  Can't  help  that.  It's  down-hill ;  we'll  make  it  in 
45 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

about  four  hours.  Come  on  ;  we'll  have  the  best  to  be 
had  in  the  town,  and  what  is  lacking  in  quality  we'll 
make  up  in  quantity." 

' '  Are  Conley  and  Blatchford  going  to  be  in  on 
this?"  Hollingshead  inquired  slyly,  as  they  started 
down  the  trail.  Conley  and  Blatchford  were  the 
present  owners  of  the  Bonnibel. 

Denning  laughed:  "Not  to-night,  my  boy,  not  to- 
night !  After  the  papers  are  drawn  and  signed,  I'll 
give  them  the  royalest  treat  of  their  lives,  but  this  is 
our  own  little  celebration  on  the  qt." 

It  was  as  Denning  had  surmised.  The  vein  of  the 
Bonnibel  was  identical  with  that  of  the  Penvallon, 
only — and  this  was  what  had  staggered  him — wider 
and  richer. 

The  sun  had  set ;  the  steep  trail  had  been  left  be- 
hind and  they  were  riding  over  the  foot-hills  in  the 
twilight,  the  town,  seemingly,  almost  within  a  stone's 
throw,  when  Hollingshead  said  slowly,  after  a  long 
silence : 

"Mac,  my  boy,  that  mine  would  be  cheap  at 
quarter  of  a  million." 

Denning  did  not  reply  at  once  ;  when  he  did,  it  was 
with  measured  deliberation : 

"  Well,  I  shall  expend  fully  half  a  million  before  I 
have  done  what  I  intend  doing  5  but," — he  added  with 
emphasis — "  I  shall  get  it  back  again — several  times 
over." 

It  was  nine  o'clock  when  they  reached  the  hotel  in 
Shasta  which  they  usually  frequented,  but  Denning 
ordered  dinner  to  be  served  in  his  room.  At  mid- 
night they  were  still  seated  at  the  table,  lingering 
over  the  champagne  and  cigars.  Hollingshead,  suf- 

46 


THE  SKELETON  AT  THE  FEAST 

ficiently  under  the  influence  of  the  former  to  be  un- 
usually talkative,  was  recounting  his  recent  "  out- 
ing" with  "  the  boys"  while  in  New  York. 

Opposite  him  was  Denning — his  face  flushed,  his 
eyes  unnaturally  bright — intoxicated,  but  not  with 
wine.  Apparently  listening,  his  thoughts  rolled  on, 
not  calmly  and  steadily  in  their  usual  channel,  but  in 
a  wild  flood,  a  torrent ;  surging,  rioting  through  his 
brain  and  quickening  his  pulses,  as  he  peered  into  the 
vista  which  this  new  turn  of  affairs  opened  up  to  him 
through  the  coming  years,  till  he  could  scarcely 
restrain  the  cry  of  exultation  that  arose  within  him. 

"One  more  round!"  he  cried,  raising  his  glass, 
"  Here's  to  the  Bonnibel ! " 

"Here's  to  the  new  owner  of  the  Bonnibel,  his 
health  and  prosperity  !  "  Hollingshead  responded  be- 
fore Denning  had  finished  speaking ;  then  having 
drunk  his  toast,  he  refilled  his  glass. 

' 1 1  say,  Mac  j  to  make  this  thing  complete,  we  ought 
to  include  some  of  the  fair  sex  in  our  toasts  to-night. 
Who  shall  it  be  ?  Some  one  of  your  old  flames,  or  all 
of  'em  together?  Their  name  would  be  'Legion,' 
wouldn't  it?" 

Denning  was  not  often  profane,  but  on  this  occasion 
he  was  so  excited  as  to  be  scarcely  himself.  His  face 
darkened.  Hollingshead' s  words  angered  him ;  on 
this  night  of  all  nights  he  wanted  no  allusion  to  the 
past. 

"  Damn  the  women  !  What  do  you  want  to  drag 
their  name  into  this  thing  for?" 

The  other  laughed,  too  much  absorbed  in  his  rec- 
ollections to  note  that  he  had  touched  the  wrong 
chord. 

47 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"  That  puts  me  in  mind,  Mac,  of  a  bit  of  gossip  I 
heard  the  other  night  at  the  club  that  surprised  me  ; 
a  divorce,  you  know  ;  one  that  I  think  you'll  be 
interested  in." 

Denning  did  not  start,  but  the  blood  surging 
through  his  veins  seemed  suddenly  to  have  congealed. 
He  put  his  glass  down  with  peculiar  deliberateness. 
He  did  not  know  that  every  vestige  of  color  had  left 
his  face,  or  that  his  eyes  were  fixed,  staring  blindly 
at  the  glass  still  in  Hollingshead's  hand.  He  only 
knew  that  Hollingshead  had  ceased  speaking  and  he 
was  waiting,  what  seemed  an  eternity,  for  him  to 
continue. 

"Mac,  old  boy,"  Hollingshead  exclaimed  in  gen- 
uine alarm,  ' '  what' s  the  matter  ?  You  look  as  though 
you'd  seen  a  ghost !  " 

"With  an  effort,  Denning  raised  his  eyes  to  meet 
Hollingshead's,  looking  into  them  unflinchingly,  but 
with  the  expression — it  seemed  to  the  latter — of  a  man 
waiting  to  hear  the  verdict,  "guilty"  or  "not 
guilty." 

"There  is  nothing  the  matter,"  he  replied  calmly, 
"Why  don't  you  go  on!  Though  I  don't  know  why 
you  should  think  it  would  interest  me." 

Hollingshead  was  conscious  of  the  awkwardness  of 
the  situation. 

"It  was  only  a  joke,  you  know,"  he  said,  half  apol- 
ogetically. "  And  I  thought  you'd  be  interested,  too, 
in  a  way.  Mrs.  Archie,  Forbes — 'La  Petite,'  you 
know, — has  secured  a  divorce  from  Forbes." 

If  Hollingshead  had  been  frightened  at  the  first 
change  in  Denning,  he  was  terrified  at  what  he  now 
saw. 

48 


THE  SKELETON  AT  THE  FEAST 

With  the  sudden  reaction,  the  blood  rushed  back  to 
Denning' s  face  until  it  was  of  an  apoplectic  hue.  Dis- 
appointment,— for,  mingled  with  other  emotions,  had 
been  a  faint  hope  of  news  of  release — chagrin,  morti- 
fication, but  dominating  all,  rage, — at  himself  for 
having  betrayed  himself ;  at  Hollingshead,  for  having 
brought  it  about, — were  written  on  his  face,  with  its 
deepening  purple  tint,  while  he  sat  apparently  unable 
to  speak  or  move. 

Hollingshead  half  rose  from  his  chair  :  "  Mac,  for 
God's  sake " 

A  gesture  from  Denning  silenced  him. 

After  some  moments  had  passed,  Denning  rose  and 
took  several  turns  about  the  room,  stopping  at  last  by 
his  chair,  opposite  Hollingshead,  who  involuntarily 
rose  to  his  feet. 

"I  think  you  may  as  well  retire,  Hollingshead;" 
Denning  spoke  calmly  ;  u  Neither  of  us  is  quite  him- 
self to-night,  but  I'll  see  you  in  the  morning  and  we'll 
have  the  necessary  papers  drawn  at  once  for  the 
property.  Good-night,  Dick." 

"Good-night,  Mac." 

Hollingshead  left  the  room,  muttering  under  his 
breath,  "Plucky  as  ever  !  " 

He  knew  Denning  well  enough  to  know  that 
neither  explanation  nor  apology  would  ever  be  offered 
or  allowed.  The  incident  was  simply  closed,  was, 
except  for  the  memory  each  would  retain,  as  though  it 
had  not  been. 


49 


VI 

NOTHING  SUCCEEDS  LIKE  SUCCESS 

- 

THE  town  which  Denning  projected  along  with 
the  opening  of  the  railroad  and  the  development  of 
the  mine,  sprang  into  being  as  though  by  magic. 
"With  the  news  of  the  rich  strike  on  the  Bonnibel  vein 
and  of  the  new  railroad  communication,  men  flocked 
by  the  hundreds  into  the  hitherto  inaccessible  district. 
New  claims  were  staked  out,  abandoned  claims  were 
relocated,  and  valuable  properties  which  had  lain 
idle  for  want  of  transportation  facilities  again  became 
active. 

Denning' s  Junction,  as  it  was  first  called — rechrist- 
ened  Henley  when  it  attained  the  dignity  of  a 
post-office — formed  the  connecting  link  between  these 
various  camps  and  the  outside  world.  It  was  the 
distributing  point  for  their  supplies,  the  shipping 
point  for  their  ore  and  bullion.  Within  three  years 
from  the  staking  out  of  its  town  lots,  it  had  a  muni- 
cipal government,  a  complete  water  system,  a  street 
railway  and  two  banks. 

Of  the  banks,  one  was  a  private  institution  recently 
organized  by  Denning  himself.  It  had  been  inaugu- 
rated as  a  savings  bank,  ostensibly  for  the  benefit  of 
the  miners ;  but,  in  reality,  as  the  initiatory  step 
towards  the  next  stage  in  his  own  business  career, 
to  which  he  was  now  directing  his  energies.  To  him, 

50 


NOTHING  SUCCEEDS  LIKE  SUCCESS 

his  successes,  already  achieved,  were  merely  prelimi- 
naries to  other  and  greater  achievements ;  the  means 
to  an  end  ever  uppermost  in  his  mind.  His  business 
associates  had  come  to  regard  him  as  a  man  of  almost 
unlimited  ambition,  but  no  one  knew  to  what  end  it 
tended,  or  what  the  goal  might  be  which  he  hadt  set 
himself  to  win.  That  was  his  secret  of  the  future, 
which  he  guarded  almost  as  jealously  as  that  other 
secret  of  the  past.  Xot  even  to  Hollingshead,  who 
was  still  the  only  one  admitted  to  any  degree  of  inti- 
macy, had  he  ever  said  anything  more  definite  re- 
garding past  or  future  than  his  words  on  deck,  that 
night  before  their  landing  in  New  York. 

Hollingshead  was,  if  anything,  more  conservative, 
more  easy-going,  than  ever ;  too  indolent  to  bring  his 
abilities  into  full  play,  content  to  take  whatever  good 
the  gods  might  bestow,  rather  than  exert  himself  for 
the  acquisition  of  greater  good.  But  the  more  widely 
diverse  the  two  men  became  in  their  habits  and  mode 
of  life,  the  stronger  seemed  to  grow  the  subtle  bond 
that  drew  them  each  to  the  other.  Most  of  his  leisure 
time  Hollingshead  spent  in  the  mountains,  near  Den- 
ning, and  by  close  observation  coupled  with  a  shrewd 
judgment  and  supplemented  by  a  sort  of  intuition 
born  of  their  intimacy,  he  had  come  to  certain  con- 
clusions of  his  own  regarding  his  friend,  which  he,  in 
his  turn,  guarded  as  his  secret. 

When  not  in  Henley,  or  at  the  camp,  Hollingshead 
was  usually  to  be  found  at  Hampton  Springs,  a  small 
mountain  resort  near  by,  which  had  been  brought 
into  considerable  prominence  with  the  renewal  of 
traffic  over  the  railroad.  Here  also,  Denning  had 
financial  interests,  being  one  of  the  stockholders  of 

51 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

the  new  summer  hotel  and  club  house  at  the  Springs, 
to  which  he  not  infrequently  came  himself  for  a  few 
hours  of  relaxation. 

The  second  season  of  the  hotel  had  just  opened.  It 
was  yet  too  early  for  many  of  the  society  contingent 
to  arrive,  but  a  little  group,  gradually  gaining  in 
numbers,  gathered  every  evening  on  the  wide  veranda 
and  gossiped  with  the  unconventional  "freedom  which 
usually  abounds  in  such  places. 

Towards  this  group  Hollingshead  sauntered  negli- 
gently one  evening,  having  just  come  over  from 
Henley  after  a  few  days'  absence.  He  looked  the 
company  over  indifferently,  nodding  to  one  or  two  as 
he  passed,  till  his  glance  was  arrested  by  a  pair  of 
laughing  eyes,  and  their  owner  exclaimed  : 

I  i  Here  is  Mr.  Hollingshead ;  he  can  settle  it  for  us  ! " 
He  turned  and  slowly  approached  the  speaker,  who 

was  seated  a  little  apart  from  the  others,  on  a  small 
settee,  a  diminutive  King  Charles  spaniel  beside  her. 
She  was  well  formed  and  well  gowned,  and  she  knew 
it.  Hollingshead  stood  before  her,  silent  for  an 
instant,  regarding  her  with  his  slow,  quizzical  smile, 
behind  which  lurked  the  admiration  which  she  under- 
stood as  well  as  though  it  had  been  expressed  in 
words. 

II  Good  evening,  Mrs.  Durant.     May  I  inquire  what 
it  was  that  you  wished  settled  ?  " 

"Settled!  Oh,  yes."  She  recalled  herself  with  a 
light  laugh ;  then,  before  replying,  drew  her  skirts 
away  from  the  settee  with  a  charming  little  gesture  of 
invitation,  at  the  same  time  smiling  at  him  reassur- 
ingly. She  possessed  such  an  abundance  of  a  not 
unpleasant  sort  of  assurance,  that  it  invariably  dif- 

52 


NOTHING  SUCCEEDS  LIKE  SUCCESS 

fused  itself  on  all  with  whom  she  came  in  contact. 
As  Hollingshead  took  the  proffered  seat,  the  spaniel 
barked. 

' '  Psyche,  dear,  be  quiet !  It  was  only  the  spring 
water  I  wanted  settled,  Mr.  Hollingshead ;  that  is, 
not  the  water,  but  *the  ingredients — isn't  that  the 
word?  Mr.  Bates  and  I  were  telling  a  newcomer 
about  it  and  we  got  into  a  dispute  over  those  dread- 
ful names — the  minerals  in  it,  you  know, — and  I 
thought  you,  being  a  mineralogist,  would  know  all 
about  it." 

Hollingshead  looked  preternaturally  grave  :  1 1  Not 
without  an  analysis  of  the  water,  Mrs.  Durant. ' ' 

"Beally,  can't  you?  I  supposed  you  could  tell  it 
off-hand  like  a  piece  of  ore.  But  it  doesn't  matter, 
they  are  interested  in  something  else,  now.  Psyche, 
what  are  you  doing  ?  Come  here." 

"  She  doesn't  annoy  me  in  the  least,  but  what  is  the 
jolly  little  beast  after,  anyway  ? " 

' ( Oh,  sweetmeats,  of  course.  She  thinks  all  pockets 
were  made  expressly  to  hold  sweeties  for  her." 

"  After  sweets,  is  she?  A  feminine  instinct!  I'll 
be  better  prepared  for  her  ladyship  next  time." 

Meanwhile,  Psyche,  having  abandoned  her  search 
for  candy,  had  stretched  herself  comfortably  upon 
Holliugshead's  lap,  and  now  glanced  over  her  shoulder 
at  her  mistress  with  a  look  of  supine  complacence. 

Mrs.  Durant  laughed  :  u  The  absurd  little  wretch  ! 
Did  you  see  that  ?  She  is  extremely  fond  of  gentle- 
men's  society.  I  suppose" — she  added  a  trifle  defi- 
antly, as  she  again  caught  the  quizzical  gleam  in  the 
other's  eyes — "  I  suppose  you  will  say  that  is  feminine 
instinct,  also." 

53 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"  Not  since  you  have  been  kind  enough  to  say  it  for 
me."  Then,  after  the  least  pause. 

"  Did  I  understand  you  to  say  there  had  been  some 
new  arrivals  ?  ' ' 

"  Oh,  yes;  a  number.  Several  gentlemen;  one  of 
them,  a  Mr.  Richards — that  gray -headed  man  talking 
with  Mr.  Bates — seems  quite  a  character.  Made  a 
fortune  here  in  the  early  days,  you  know,  and  lives  in 
New  York  now,  but  comes  out  here  every  few  years 
when  he  gets,  what  he  calls  'downright  lonesome.' 
Just  fancy  that  !  Oh,  yes,  and  there  was  a  lady 
among  the  arrivals  to-day — quite  a  party  in  fact — 
and  so  very  distinguished  looking  !  Oh,  she  isn't 
visible  now  ;  really,  no  one  has  seen  her  since  she 
first  came  ;  they  must  have  had  dinner  in  their  apart- 
ments. I  understand  they  have  one  of  the  most 
expensive  suites " 

"They?  Beg  pardon,  who?  You  were  speaking 
of  a  lady,  were  you  not  ?  " 

"Didn't  I  say  she  had  a  party  with  her?  How 
very  dense ! — Psyche,  dearest,  stop  tearing  my 
handkerchief! — Yes,  an  elderly  lady,  her  mother,  I 
presume  ;  a  child — such  a  lovely  little  creature  ! — and 
a  maid.  She  is  a  Mrs.  Wynne,  from  Cleveland — Oh, 
yes,"  as  she  noticed  a  slight  elevation  of  Hollings- 
head's  eyebrows — "  I  went  over  and  looked  at  the 
register  just  as  soon  as  she  had  gone  upstairs.  I  was 
simply  dying  to  know  something  about  her,  her 
appearance  was  so  out  of  the  ordinary,  you  know. 
The  other  woman  is  a  Mrs.  Taylor,  from  somewhere 
in  Iowa.  She  appears  to  be  very  much  of  an  invalid 
and  is  evidently  the  excuse  for  coming  here." 

"Do  people  have  to  have  an  excuse  for  coming  here  ? ' ' 
54 


NOTHING  SUCCEEDS  LIKE  SUCCESS 

"  They  all  have  one — haven't  you  ever  noticed? — 
some  good  and  sufficient  reason  to  account  for  their 
being  here  ;  all  but  you  and  me,  we  haven't  a  shadow 
of  excuse,  either  of  us." 

11 1  am  here  for  my  health,"  Hollingshead  answered, 
with  a  sidelong  glance. 

She  laughed  mockingly  :  "  Mr.  Bates,  did  you  hear 
that  ?  Mr.  Hollingshead  says  he  is  here  for  his  health  ! 
Would  you  have  fancied  it  ?  " 

"Well,"  responded  Bates,  a  twinkle  in  his  eye, 
"  it's  a  little  difficult  to  tell  just  what  he  is  here  for," 
— there  was  a  general  laugh,  as  Hollingshead' s  indo- 
lence was  the  subject  of  considerable  jovial  comment ; 
— "But  that  has  rather  a  broad  significance  out 
here." 

"It  generally  signifies,"  added  another,  "that  one's 
own  section  of  country  has  got  to  be  particularly 
unhealthy  for  him,  for  some  reason." 

"  How  is  that,  Hollingshead?"  Bates  asked  laugh- 
ingly. 

Before  he  could  reply,  the  newcomer,  whom  Mrs. 
Durant  had  mentioned,  was  speaking  : 

"I  guess,  from  all  I  hear,  you've  got  one  man  out 
here  that  didn't  come  for  his  health,  and  that's  this 
Denning  there's  so  much  talk  about.  Over  there  at 
Henley,  as  near  as  I  can  make  out,  he's  made  the 
town  and  runs  it,  and  they  tell  me  that  since  he  took 
hold  of  the  Bounibel  mine,  it  has  knocked  the  Pen- 
vallon's  record  silly.  Why,  I  remember  that  mine. 
Conley  and  Blatchford  thought  they  had  a  bonanza 
when  they  first  struck  it,  but  it  didn't  pan  out  as  they 
expected  and  for  years  they  were  trying  to  unload  it. 
The  last  I  heard  of  it,  a  tenderfoot,  fresh  from  the 

55 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

East,  had  bought  it,  and  Conley  was  chuckling  that 
he'd  sold  the  mine  and  him  too." 

Shouts  of  laughter  stopped  the  recital  at  this  point. 

"By  George  !  that  was  what  we  all  thought !  "  said 
Bates. 

" Denning  a  'tenderfoot'!  Oh  Lord!"  groaned 
another,  "  Did  you  fellows  ever  get  left  ?  " 

"Yes,  that  was  once  when  the  boot  was  on  the 
other  leg." 

"So  this  is  the  same  fellow?  "Well,  I  swear!" 
ejaculated  Mr.  Richards;  "I'd  give  a  good  deal  to 
see  that  man  and  congratulate  him  on  getting  ahead 
of  all  you  fellows  ! ' ' 

"  I  guess  Hollingshead  here  could  manage  that  for 
you,"  said  Bates;  "Mr.  Richards,  let  me  make  you 
acquainted  with  Mr.  Denning' s  expert,  Mr.  Hollings- 
head. There's  the  man,"  he  added,  as  they  shook 
hands,  "that  experted  the  Penvallon  years  ago,  and 
experted  the  Bonnibel  for  Mr.  Denning." 

Before  the  group  dispersed,  Hollingshead  had  agreed 
to  pilot  Mr.  Richards  through  the  Bonnibel  mine  and 
introduce  him  to  Mr.  Denning. 

Mrs.  Durant  had  been  a  most  interested  listener  to 
the  talk  regarding  Denning  and  his  successes,  and 
later  in  the  evening,  having  exhausted  every  other 
source  of  information,  she  waylaid  Hollingshead  in 
one  of  the  corridors. 

"Do  tell  me  about  your  Mr.  Denning,  this  won- 
derful man  !  Is  he  visible  nowhere  but  at  the  mine, 
and  can  no  one  see  him  except  they  have  a  permit 
from  you?" 

He  smiled:  "Do  you  wish  to  see  him,  Mrs. 
Durant?" 

56 


NOTHING  SUCCEEDS  LIKE  SUCCESS 

His  directness  disconcerted  her  for  a  moment :  "  I  ? 
I  am  simply  dying  to  see  what  he  is  like,  after  all  I 
have  heard  of  him.  Very  wealthy,  isn't  he?" 

"He  is  considered  so,  I  believe." 

11  And  they  say  he  has  built  such  nice  houses — 
sanitary  and  all  that  sort  of  thing,  you  know — for  the 
working-men  in  Henley,  and  given  the  site  for  a  public 
library,  besides  opening  a  savings  bank  for  his  miners. 
A  sort  of  philanthropist,  isn't  he  ? " 

11  If  he  is,  I  think  he  would  be  the  last  one  to  admit 
it,"  Hollingshead  replied,  with  tremendous  gravity. 

"Yes?"  A  faint  suspicion  ^flitted  through  Mrs. 
Durant's  brain  that  a  shadow  of  a  smile  lurked  some- 
where in  that  solemn  face,  but  the  corridor  was  dimly 
lighted ;  she  was  not  sure. 

"Well,  modesty  is  certainly  commendable,"  she 
added  tentatively.  ' 1 1  understand  he  is  a  bachelor, 
but,  is  it  true,  as  they  say,  that  he — er — doesn't  like 
women?" 

"Well,  really,  Mrs.  Durant,  I  am  not  in  his  confi- 
dence in  such  matters,  but  so  far  as  I  can  judge,  I 
should  say  Mr.  Denning  seems  to  occupy  rather  a  neu- 
tral position  as  regards  women  in  general.  He  is  so  ab- 
sorbed in  business,  I  doubt  if  they  ever  occur  to  him." 

' '  How  dreadful !  If  he  were  only  a  woman-hater 
he  would  be  so  much  more  interesting !  Well,  it's 
Psyche's  bedtime  and  I  must  go  upstairs.  Good-night, 
Mr.  Hollingshead.  Do  try  and  arrange  some  way  for 
me  to  meet  Mr.  Denning  ;  for,  I'll  tell  you  frankly,  I 
don't  believe  a  thing  of  all  you've  just  said  to  me 
about  him.  Your  words  all  had  that  hollow  ring  of 
insincerity,  don't  you  know !  and  I  want  to  see  him 
and  judge  for  myself." 

57 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Hollingshead  bowed  low:  "You  shall  meet  Mr. 
Denning,  Mrs.  Durant,  and  if  your  own  judgment 
doesn't  confirm  what  I've  said  to  you  to-night,  Psyche 
shall  have  two  pounds  of  bon-bons." 

u Agreed!"  she  answered,  laughing,  "It's  a  go, 
only  don't  you  forget !"  and  a  few  moments  later, 
with  Psyche  in  her  arms,  she  waved  her  hand  to  him 
from  the  gallery  on  the  next  floor. 


58 


VII 

THE  "RICHARDS  EPISODE" 


DEXXIXG  had  three  offices  between  which  he  divided 
his  time  with  the  systematic  precision  which  charac- 
terized all  his  business  methods.  The  one  which  he 
designated  as  his  town  office  had  been  established  co- 
temporaneously  with  the  staking  out  of  the  first  town 
lots  in  Henley  and  had  advanced  with  the  growth  of 
the  town.  It  had  originally  consisted  of  a  small 
"shack,"  containing  a  second-hand  desk,  a  pine  table, 
a  box  stove  and  some  chairs.  It  now  embraced  a  suite 
of  rooms  on  the  second  floor  of  the  Denning  Savings 
Bank  building  and  was  equipped  with  the  most 
modern  office  furnishings. 

To  this  office,  Denning  devoted  his  forenoons  from 
eight  to  twelve,  with  the  exception  of  two  mornings 
each  week  which  were  spent  at  the  mine,  inspecting 
the  works  and  going  over  the  reports  and  statements 
awaiting  him  in  his  office  there.  At  one  o'clock,  he 
went  to  the  bank  and  stayed  till  four,  when  he  returned 
to  the  rooms  on  the  second  floor,  where  he  remained 
until  six  and  was  often  to  be  found  late  into  the  night. 

Hollingshead  came  upon  him  in  his  mining  office 
the  morning  following  his  interview  with  Mr.  Eich- 
ards  at  the  hotel. 

' '  Hello,  Mac,  old  man  !   Is  this  your  l  busy  day '  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no  ;  not  '  busy ',  simply  a  rush  of  work,  that's 
all.  Anything  I  can  do  for  you,  Dick?" 

59 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"  Nothing  ;  only  I've  got  a  party  out  here  that  I'm 
taking  around,  an  old  fellow  that  has  made  a  few  mil- 
lions in  mines  himself.  The  show  won't  be  complete, 
you  know,  unless  he  sees  you,  and  I've  promised  to  go 
him  the  whole  figure.  Can  you  give  him  about  ten 
minutes?" 

11  Can't  spare  a  minute  this  morning,  Dick.  Bring 
him  around  to  the  bank  this  afternoon." 

11  All  right.     So  long,  old  man  ! " 

Hollingshead  knew  his  chum  so  well  that  in]  bring- 
ing a  stranger  to  the  office,  it  was  his  invariable  cus- 
tom to  make  an  engagement  with  him  within  a  limited 
time,  to  prevent  the  call  from  becoming  too  pro- 
tracted. 

Accordingly,  as  he  approached  the  bank  that  after- 
noon in  company  with  Mr.  Eichards,  he  suddenly 
exclaimed  : 

"I  say,  Mr.  Eichards,  have  you  seen  that  collection 
of  ores  on  exhibition  down  here  at  the  First  National, 
— from  some  of  the  British  Columbia  mines,  you 
knowt" 

" British  Columbia,  did  you  say?  No.  Why,  I'm 
interested  in  B.  C.  mines  myself.  Where  did  you  say 
they  were  ? ' ' 

' '  At  the  First  National,  two  blocks  further  down. 
Let  me  see'' — looking  at  his  watch — "  it's  two-fifteen  ; 
the  banks  close  in  three-quarters  of  an  hour.  I'll  give 
you  about  fifteen  minutes  with  Mr.  Denning ;  then  I'll 
call  for  you  and  we'll  go  down  there  and  take  a  look 
at  them." 

They  found  Denning  in  his  banking  office — the  office 
with  ' '  President ' '  on  the  door,  a  small  room,  but  simi- 
lar in  its  arrangement  and  appointments  to  that  other 

60 


THE  "RICHARDS  EPISODE" 

bank    president's    office    in   the  old   English   town, 
impressed  indelibly  upon  Denning' s  memory. 

Denning  greeted  Mr.  Richards  courteously,  but 
with  that  incisive  manner  with  which  Hollingshead 
was  so  familiar,  which  said  plainly  as  words  that 
time  was  money  and  he  could  not  afford  to  waste  it. 
Hollmgshead  excused  himself  and  withdrew  with 
his  usual  formula  on  such  occasions. 

"I'll  see  you  later,  Mr.  Richards." 

After  a  few  congratulatory  remarks,  Mr.  Richards 
repeated  his  story  of  the  preceding  evening. 

Denning' s  face  relaxed:  "Yes,"  he  said,  smiling, 
"I  had  an  impression  at  the  time  that  Conley  and 
Blatchford  thought  they  were  doing  me  up,  and  I  was 
particularly  careful  not  to  disabuse  them  of  that  idea." 

"  "Well,  I  said  last  night  that  I  wanted  to  congratu- 
late the  man  that  got  ahead  of  those  fellows.  You 
wasn't  what  they  took  you  for,  but  I  came  out  here 
some  thirty  years  ago,  as  genuine  a  tenderfoot  as  ever 
landed  in  these  parts,  and  they  did  me  up,  brown.  I 
pretty  near  got  even  with  'em  afterwards,  but  it  al- 
ways does  me  good  when  I  hear  of  their  getting  left, 
and  I  know  Conley  has  kicked  himself  black  and  blue 
over  this  deal  on  the  Bonnibel." 

"You  were  originally  from  the  East,  then!  from 
New  York!  "  Denning  asked  indifferently. 

"From  the  East,  yes,  but  from  Pennsylvania.  I 
was  born  and  raised  in  Alton,  a  little  town  near  one  of 
the  greatest  coal  mines  in  the  State,  though  we  wasn't 
thinking  of  coal  in  those  days." 

Alton  !  What  memories  that  name  recalled  !  Mr. 
Richards  rambled  on,  while  Denning,  scarcely  listen- 
ing, saw  again  the  dingy  office  of  the  justice  of  the 

61 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

peace,  stifling  with  foul  air  and  tobacco  smoke ;  the 
justice  himself,  shabby,  slovenly,  inflated  with  self- 
importance.  He  heard  again  the  words  of  the  civil 
marriage  form  and  felt  the  little  cold,  trembling  hand 
shrinkingly  placed  within  his  own. 

"Yes,  I  lived  in  that  little  town  till  I  was  past 
twenty-five,  and  then  I  took  old  Horace  Greeley's 
advice,  and  came  West." 

Denning' s  polite  indifference  had  vanished.  He 
was  alert,  thinking  rapidly,  though  outwardly  calm 
and  cool  as  before. 

"You  must  have  been  pretty  well  acquainted  in 
that  part  of  the  country." 

"  Acquainted  ?  There  wasn't  a  man,  horse  nor  dog 
within  twenty-five  miles  that  I  didn't  know." 

Denning  glanced  about  him.  Clerks  were  passing 
and  repassing  the  door  and  he  was  liable  to  interrup- 
tion at  any  moment.  He  opened  a  drawer  in  his  desk 
and  took  therefrom  a  box  of  cigars. 

"Have  a  cigar,  Mr.  Richards — no,  pardon  me,  these 
are  not  what  I  thought  they  were.  Just  come  upstairs 
to  my  private  office,  I  have  a  particularly  fine  brand 
up  there." 

As  they  passed  the  cashier's  window,  Denning  said, 
"I'm  going  upstairs,  Gordon.  If  any  one  inquires  for 
me,  I'm  engaged." 

To  his  stenographer,  he  said,  ' '  Admit  no  one— ex- 
cept, of  course,  Hollingshead ;  if  he  conies  around,  all 
right ;  otherwise,  I  am  engaged." 

Comfortably  seated  in  Denning' s  private  office,  with 
a  fine  cigar,  all  thought  of  British  Columbia  ores  van- 
ished, from  Mr.  Richards'  mind.  They  suddenly  re- 
curred to  Hollingshead,  however,  as  he  stood  watch- 

62 


THE  "RICHARDS  EPISODE" 

ing  an  illicit  but  fascinating  game  of  roulette  behind 
closed  doors,  in  the  rear  of  a  popular  cigar  store.  He 
glanced  at  his  watch.  It  lacked  fourteen  minutes  of 
three  !  Two  minutes  later  he  arrived,  at  the  Savings 
Bank,  perspiring  and  breathless,  and  rushed  into  the 
president's  office  before  any  one  could  stop  him. 
While  he  stood  gazing  blankly  about  him  the  cashier 
appeared  at  the  door. 

"Mr.  Denning  is  upstairs,  Mr.  Hollingshead." 

"Oh,  yes,  much  obliged;  but  where  is  Mr.  Rich- 
ards, the  gentleman  who  came  in  with  me,  you 
know?" 

"  He  is  with  Mr.  Denning  ;  they  are  both  upstairs." 

"  Not  in  his  private  office  ! " 

1 1  Yes,  sir ;  Mr.  Denning  left  word  that  he  would  be 
engaged." 

"The  deuce,  you  say  ! " 

Outside,  in  the  corridor,  Hollingshead  mopped  his 
brow  reflectively  while  waiting  for  the  elevator. 

"  Gad  !  It  can't  be  his  long-lost  father  turned  up  ! 
Must  be  the  old  fellow  has  a  mine  to  sell, — or  a  bank  ; 
I  believe  Mac  would  buy  a  bank  or  two  if  he  could  ! " 

Meanwhile,  from  mines  and  mining  in  general, 
Denning  had  drawn  his  guest  to  speak  of  the  coal 
mines  in  his  native  state. 

"  Are  you  familiar  with  that  large  mine  near  Alton, 
or  haven't  you  been  in  that  part  of  the  country 
lately?" 

"Yes,  I  go  back  there  every  few  years.  My  father 
lived  there  till  within  the  last  five  years — lived  to  be 
over  ninety — and  I've  got  a  brother  there  now.  Yes,  I 
know  that  mine  about  as  well  as  anybody,  I  guess." 
And  he  launched  forth  into  details. 

63 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Following  a  light  knock,  the  door  opened  and  Hol- 
lingshead,  at  a  nod  from  Denning,  entered.  He  said 
nothing,  however,  as  the  latter  seemed  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  description  of  some  coal  mine,  and  pick- 
ing up  a  newspaper,  he  withdrew  to  another  part  of 
the  room. 

11 1  suppose  the  town  has  grown  since  the  mine  was 
opened  up,"  said  Denning,  when  the  other  paused; 
11 1  was  there  a  good  many  years  ago,  about  the  time 
of  the  discovery  of  coal  in  that  region,  but  Alton  was 
only  a  village  at  that  time." 

11  That  so  ?  Then  you  know  something  of  the  coun- 
try 'round  there.  Yes,  Alton  is  a  pretty  sizable  town 
now,  and  she  hasn't  got  her  growth  yet.  Acquainted 
in  those  parts?" 

"No.  I  was  there  only  a  short  time  on  business. 
But  it's  curious  how  people  and  places  will  be  associ- 
ated in  one's  mind  sometimes.  As  soon  as  you  spoke 
of  Alton,  I  recalled  an  old  man  I  used  to  see  around 
there ;  he  came  from  somewhere  out  in  the  country, 
Heldt,  I  think  was  the  name." 

11  Old  man  Heldt?"  exclaimed  the  other  laughing, 
1 1  Did  you  know  him  ? ' ' 

"I  knew  of  him.  He  struck  me  as  such  an  eccen- 
tric character  that  I  made  some  inquiries  about 
him." 

"Yes,  he  was  a  queer  character.  Dutch  descent, 
but  somehow  he  always  put  me  in  mind  of  some  of 
those  mountaineers  in  the  South ;  lazy  and  shiftless, 
about  as  near  l  poor  white  trash '  as  you'd  ever  see  in 
Pennsylvania." 

"  I  suppose  he  and  the  old  horse  go  back  and  forth 
the  same  as  ever?  " 

64 


THE  "RICHARDS  EPISODE" 

Mr.  Richards  shook  his  head :  "  No,  they're  all  gone  j 
not  hide  nor  hair  of  any  of  the  outfit  left." 

"Moved  away?" 

"  No,  cleaned  out.  Seven  years  ago,  the  fever  was 
uncommon  bad  through  the  mountains  there — good 
many  fatal  cases — and  it  wiped  old  man  Heldt  and  his 
family  off  the  earth." 

Denning  felt  a  thrill  like  an  electric  shock,  and  for 
an  instant  the  beating  of  his  pulses  sounded  in  his  ears 
like  the  muffled  roll  of  a  distant  drum.  He  glanced 
at  Hollingshead ;  he  was  absorbed  in  his  paper. 

"Do  you  mean  they  all  died?  If  I  remember,  he 
had  a  number  of  children  ;  two  or  three  sons  and — er 
— a  daughter,  wasn't  there?  " 

1  i  There  was  two  sons  ;  I  don't  know  anything  about 
the  women  folks." 

"  I  am  sure  I  remember  a  young  girl  that  used  to 
come  to  town  with  them,"  Denning  supplemented 
hastily. 

"Well,  it  might  be — one  more  or  less  don't  make 
any  difference.  I  know  father  said  the  whole  houseful 
was  cleaned  out  in  less  than  six  weeks.' 

"Yes,  that's  the  way  back  there  among  that  class 
of  people  j  unsanitary  conditions,  you  know  ;  bad 
water,  or  something  of  the  sort."  Denning  had  fully 
recovered  himself.  "There's  a  fever  prevails  out  here 
among  the  mountains,  every  year,  but  I've  taken  great 
pains  to  have  the  houses  built  according  to  the  latest 
sanitary  regulations  and  we  haven't  had  a  case  of  fever 
in  the  town  yet.  Hollingshead,  have  you  taken  Mr. 
Richards  about  town  ?  " 

Hollingshead  understood  the  signal  and  came  for- 
ward.    They  all  chatted  pleasantly,  but  within  five 
5  65 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

minutes,  Mr.  Richards  was  somehow  impressed  that  it 
was  time  to  take  leave. 

""Well,  sir,"  he  said,  as  he  shook  hands  with  Den- 
ning, "I'm  glad  to  have  seen  you.  You're  not  like 
some  of  these  business  men  nowadays  that  haven't 
time  for  anything  more  than  'How  d'ye  do'?  and 
'  Good  day '.  I've  had  a  mighty  pleasant  call  and  one 
of  the  finest  cigars  I  ever  came  across,  and  if  you  come 
'round  to  see  me  some  time  when  you' re  in  'New  York, 
Til  try  to  have  some  as  fine  for  you." 

"Thank  you;  take  another,"  laughed  Denning 
who  was  cordiality  itself.  ' i  Very  glad  to  have  met 
you,  Mr.  Richards.  I'll  be  pleased  to  have  you  look 
me  up  whenever  you  come  West." 

"  I  will  that ;  you  may  depend  on  it." 

As  the  door  closed  upon  Mr.  Richards  and  Hollings- 
head,  Denning  returned  to  his  desk  with  a  subtle 
sense  of  exhilaration  that  set  his  nerves  tingling  and 
thrilling,  his  pulses  throbbing.  It  seemed  to  him  that 
a  new  man  filled  Macavoy  Denning' s  place,  a  man  for 
whom  neither  past  nor  future  held  any  shadow  of  dread 
or  fear.  He  felt  emancipated !  And  now  that  the 
fetters  had  dropped  from  him,  he  realized  as  never 
before  how  they  had  galled  and  chafed  ! 

He  recalled  the  last  thirteen  years  of  his  life.  He 
had  succeeded  beyond  even  his  hopes,  but  what  men 
had  called  his  ambition  had  been,  in  part,  the  goading 
of  a  sort  of  desperation  that  had  driven  him  like  a 
slave  to  his  work  and  kept  him  there.  Now,  he  could 
work  as  a  free  man,  simply  for  the  joy  of  working  and 
winning. 

He  recalled  another  phase  of  his  life,  the  social  side. 
Outside  of  his  business  relations,  he  had  lived  almost 

66 


THE  "RICHARDS  EPISODE" 

as  a  recluse,  shunning  social  intercourse,  even  among 
his  own  sex.  He  realized  too  well  the  verdict  which 
would  have  been  pronounced  against  him  had  the  facts 
been  known  ; — even  now,  he  inwardly  recoiled  as  Mr. 
Eichards'  contemptuous  phrase  "poor  white  trash" 
recurred  to  him — and  too  proud  to  occupy  a  false  po- 
sition, he  had  virtually  ostracized  himself.  ~Now,  he 
felt,  as  a  disfranchised  man  to  whom  the  rights  of  citi- 
zenship had  been  restored  might  feel,  that  he  could 
once  more  meet  the  men  of  his  own  class  on  an  equal 
footing  and  look  into  their  eyes  with  level  glances. 

In  his  opinion — with  which  the  world,  his  world, 
would  have  coincided — all  the  disgrace  and  obloquy 
lay  in  the  fact  of  his  marriage,  per  se,  and  Death  had 
mercifully  wiped  that  out.  Death  was  generally  to  be 
dreaded,  of  course,  but  he  did  his  work  with  finality 
and  he  told  no  tales. 

His  thoughts  leaped  forward  into  the  future,  brighter 
now,  than  ever  ; — but  a  knock  arrested  his  attention, 
and  he  was  compelled  to  defer  that  outlook  till  another 
time. 

That  day  marked  another  epoch  in  Denning' s  life. 


67 


VIII 

A  NEW  DEPARTURE 


ON  the  morning  following  his  interview  with  Mr. 
Richards,  though  Denning  rose  at  his  accustomed 
hour  and  plunged  as  usual  into  the  daily  routine,  it 
was,  nevertheless,  to  him  the  opening  of  a  new  life 
and  his  thoughts  naturally  tended  towards  the  ma- 
turing of  new  plans  for  the  future  which,  for  some 
time,  he  had  had  in  mind.  He  felt  a  buoyancy  he 
had  not  known  in  years.  His  step  rang  through  the 
corridor  on  the  way  to  his  office  with  an  unwonted 
elasticity,  and  there  was  a  quality  in  the  tone  of  his 
"Good  morning"  which  made  his  stenographer  pause 
in  her  work  for  a  second  look  at  his  face.  He 
worked  that  day  with  new  energy,  but  not  with  his 
old  dogged  persistence.  Several  times  he  stopped  to 
taste  anew  the  sweets  of  the  strange  sense  of  freedom 
which  he  felt  and  to  project  into  the  future  plans 
more  far-reaching  than  any  heretofore  thought  of. 

Hollingshead  observed  him  closely,  but  without 
question  or  comment.  Entering  Denning' s  private 
office  on  the  second  day,  he  found  him  whistling  as  he 
he  sorted  the  papers  on  his  desk. 

"I  say,  old  man;  this  is  Saturday,  you  know. 
Shut  up  shop  this  afternoon  and  go  with  me  over  to 
the  Springs." 

Denning  folded  a  typewritten  document  and  slipped 
a  rubber  band  over  it  before  replying. 

68 


A  NEW  DEPARTURE 

"  All  right,  Dick.  I  really  intended  going  over 
there  this  afternoon.  The  Springs  seems  to  be  about 
the  only  thing  available  around  here  in  the  way  of 
diversion.  I  wish  there  was  a  decent  theatre  within 
twenty-five  miles,"  he  continued,  "I  think  I  would 
enjoy  a  good  play  to-day.  If  I  thought  I  could  make 
it  pay,  I  would  build  an  opera  house  in  Henley,  but 
I'm  afraid  the  place  wouldn't  support  a  first-class 
house  and  I  wouldn't  have  any  other." 

"I  suppose  if  you  did,  that  would  be  added  to  the 
list  of  your  benevolent  and  philanthropic  works," 
Hollingshead  retorted  with  a  laugh;  "you  seem  to 
have  acquired  a  reputation  for  that  sort  of  thing. 
Some  one  inquired  only  the  other  day  if  you  were  not 
a  philanthropist." 

Denning  gave  a  little  snort  of  derision  :  ' '  Must  have 
been  some  young  fool  reporter — or  else  a  woman  !  " 

"  It  was  a  woman,  and  for  that  reason  I  had  to  use 
considerable  diplomacy  in  order  to  maintain  my  own 
reputation  for  veracity  without  dimming  the  lustre  of 
yours  for  philanthropy." 

"I  haven't  a  doubt  but  that  you  were  equal  to  the 
occasion." 

' '  Thanks,  old  man.  I  told  her  you  would  be  the 
last  one  to  admit  it ;  so  that,  of  course,  drives  the  nail 
through  and  clinches  it  on  the  other  side,  besides 
adding  modesty  to  your  other  virtues.  Pretty  clever, 
wasn't  it?  It's  up  to  you  now  to  maintain  the  repu- 
tation I've  established  for  you." 

"Some  one  has  said,"  remarked  Denning  reflec- 
tively, "  that  there  are  two  classes  of  people  to  be 
dreaded  :  enemies,  with  the  worst  of  intentions ;  and 
friends,  with  the  best.  I  don't  know  in  which  cate- 

69 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

gory  to  place  you,  Dick,  but  if  I  could  see  your  fair 
interlocutor,  I  would  warn  her  that  modesty  is  not  one 
of  your  virtues." 

"It's  easy  to  see,  then,  in  which  category  you 
belong  ;  and  you'll  soon  have  the  coveted  opportunity 
to  undermine  my  reputation,  for  I've  promised  her 
the  pleasure  of  meeting  you." 

A  caller  was  here  announced  and  their  conference 
ended. 

"I'll  meet  you  at  the  station,  Mac;  what  train?" 
said  Hollingshead,  turning  to  leave  the  room. 

"Make  it  three- thirty,  Dick." 

The  hotel  and  club  house  at  Hampton  Springs  faced 
each  other  from  opposite  sides  of  a  broad  avenue 
leading  direct  from  the  station.  There  was,  that 
afternoon,  an  unusual  number  of  guests  from  the  sur- 
rounding towns  assembled  for  the  morrow's  holiday. 
Among  the  group  of  fashionably  attired  women  on 
the  hotel  veranda,  Mrs.  Durant  occupied  a  place  well 
in  the  foreground,  overlooking  the  avenue ;  while 
conspicuous  amid  the  stream  of  arrivals  from  the  four 
o'clock  train,  were  Denning  and  Hollingshead.  The 
latter  lifted  his  hat  in  response  to  a  flutter  of  Mrs. 
Durant' s  handkerchief. 

"That,  I  presume,  is  the  goddess  to  whom  I  am  to 
be  immolated  in  order  to  propitiate  her  favor  for  your- 
self," said  Denning  mockingly,  at  the  same  time 
joining  in  the  salute. 

"That  is  Mrs.  Durant,  to  whom  you  are  to  be 
presented.  Isn't  she  a  stunner  ?  " 

"I  am  not  prepared  to  say  at  this  distance  ;  can 
tell  better  after  the  presentation.  I  am  going  over  to 
the  club  now,  Dick  ;  see  you  at  dinner." 

70 


A  NEW  DEPARTURE 

"By  Jove!  I  wonder  if  he's  going  to  flunk  the 
introduction,"  Hollingshead  muttered,  looking  after 
Denning  as  he  crossed  the  avenue  ;  l  t  deuced  awkward 
for  me  if  he  does  !  " 

A  few  minutes  later,  Mrs.  Durant,  with  Psyche  in 
her  arms,  was  greeting  him  effusively. 

' '  Oh,  Mr.  Hollingshead,  it  is  an  age  since  you  were 
here !  "We  have  missed  you  so  much,  Psyche  and  I ; 
so  delighted  to  see  you  back  !  " 

"  The  pleasure  is  mutual,  I  assure  you,  Mrs.  Du- 
rant," and  Hollingshead  bowed  over  a  well  shaped 
and  much  bejewelled  hand. 

' l  You  must  let  me  introduce  you  to  the  ladies,  those 
who  have  come  recently,  you  know.  I  have  told 
them  about  you  and  they  are  all  so  anxious  to  meet 
you." 

Hollingshead  was  presented  to  a  score  of  ladies, 
matrons  and  maids,  some  of  the  latter  being  quite 
young,  hardly  more  than  school-girls  they  seemed  to 
him,  but  with  all  the  assurance,  as  he  afterwards  told 
Denning,  "of  old  campaigners." 

Mrs.  Durant  had  a  way  of  introducing  a  gentleman 
to  her  friends  as  though  she  were  magnanimously 
bestowing  him  upon  them,  individually  and  collect- 
ively, "to  have  and  to  hold,  forever";  and  of  imme- 
diately thereafter  appropriating  him  to  herself  in  a 
tete-d-tete  from  which  all  were  so  manifestly  excluded 
that  no  one  had  the  temerity  to  intrude.  Accordingly, 
Hollingshead  speedily  found  himself  upon  a  settee  in 
an  angle  of  the  veranda  formed  by  a  projecting 
window,  with  Mrs.  Durant  beside  him  and  Psyche 
ensconced  upon  his  lap. 

11 1  have  told  Psyche,  Mr.  Hollingshead,  of  the  box 
71 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

of  bon-bons  you  are  to  bring  her,  which  probably 
accounts  for  her  devotion  to  you  to-day." 

" Really  !  Is  she  so  essentially  feminine  as  that!  " 
^  Mrs.  Durant  tapped  his  arm  with  her  fan  ;  ' '  You 
dreadful  man  !  We  ought  both  of  us  to  ostracise  you 
for  such  insinuations,"  she  protested,  but  with  her 
most  reassuring  smile. 

"But  Mrs.  Durant,  you  should  not  raise  Psyche's 
expectations,  or  encourage  her  to  indulge  in  false 
hopes.  Her  mistress  has  not  yet  won  the  bon-bons." 

"  Oh,  but  I  shall ;  I  am  confident  of  it  I  am  sure 
you  misrepresented  Mr.  Denning.  I  have  found  that 
he  is  one  of  the  most  delightful  men  in  the  world." 

11  What  a  charming  discovery  !  When  did  you  meet 
him?" 

"Oh,  I  haven't  had  that  pleasure  yet — Psyche, 
dear,  get  down  ;  you  must  not  annoy  Mr.  Hollings- 
head — but  Mr.  Richards,  when  he  came  back  from 
Henley,  couldn't  talk  of  anything  else  but  the 
delightful  reception  he  had  from  Mr.  Denning.  And 
then,  Mrs.  Gordon, — the  wife  of  the  cashier  of  Mr. 
Denning' s  bank,  you  know,  and  one  of  my  dearest 
friends, — Mrs.  Gordon  says  she  has  met  Mr.  Denning 
often  in  his  banking  office,  and  she  thinks  he  is  a 
perfect  dear ;  so  courteous  and  refined,  with  that 
indescribable  English  air,  don't  you  know.  When 
are  you  going  to  bring  him  over  to  the  Springs,  Mr. 
Hollingshead  ? ' ' 

"Well,  really,  you  know,  Mrs.  Durant,  I  don't 
know  that  I  could  '  bring '  him  at  all.  Mr.  Denning 
is  one  who  comes  when  he  is  ready,  and  not  before." 

"Dear  me,  what  a  pity  ! " 

Hollingshead,  feeling  a  little  uncertain  regarding 
72 


A  NEW  DEPARTURE 

Denning' s  intentions,  resolved  to  turn  the  conversation 
into  a  safer,  and  to  him,  more  interesting,  channel. 

"Is  the  Mrs.  Wynne  whom  you  mentioned  the 
other  day,  still  here,  Mrs.  Durant !  I  didn't  hear  her 
name  among  those  of  the  ladies  I  just  met,  and  I'm  a 
bit  curious  to  see  her,  you  know,  after  what  you  said 
of  her." 

In  Mrs.  Durant' s  opinion,  Hollingshead's  query 
showed  a  most  decided  want  of  tact,  and  she  resolved 
to  punish  him  accordingly. 

"  Mrs.  Wynne  ?  "  she  answered  with  polite  indiffer- 
ence, "  Oh,  yes,  she  is  still  here,  but  she  is  so  absorbed 
in  that  invalid  aunt  of  hers — she  is  an  aunt,  not  her 
mother,  as  I  conjectured — that  one  scarcely  sees  her 
except  at  meals.  By  the  way,  Mr.  Hollingshead,  I 
wanted  to  inquire  who  that  gentleman  was  who  came 
up  the  avenue  with  you.  He  was  so  very  distin- 
guished looking,  you  know ;  only  I  can't  say  that  I 
admire  his  taste  in  preferring  the  club  to  the  hotel 
with  all  its  present  attractions,"  and  she  smiled  archly 
at  Hollingshead. 

He  returned  the  smile  with  one  of  genuine  amuse- 
ment. 

"That  was  Mr.  Denning,  Mrs.  Durant." 

"  Mr.  Denning  !  "  she  ejaculated.  In  her  surprise, 
she  nearly  shrieked,  and  Psyche,  convinced  that  some- 
thing out  of  the  ordinary  had  happened,  barked 
excitedly,  to  the  very  evident  amusement  of  the 
onlookers. 

When  Psyche  had  been  pacified,  Hollingshead 
assured  Mrs.  Durant  that  he  would  use  his  best  en- 
deavors to  bring  about  a  speedy  meeting  between 
herself  and  Mr.  Denning,  and  soon  thereafter  made 

73 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

his  excuses  and  walked  away  with  his  feelings  unac- 
countably ruffled. 

Meanwhile,  at  the  club  house,  Denning  had  met  a 
number  of  business  acquaintances.  Gordon,  the 
cashier,  was  there ;  as  was  also  the  president  of 
Henley's  First  National  Bank  ;  two  or  three  mining 
men,  among  them,  Benham,  the  owner  of  the  Pen- 
vallon,  and  with  him  a  guest  by  the  name  of  Rigby, 
from  one  of  the  coast  cities.  Denning  was  asked  to 
join  them  in  a  friendly  talk  and  smoke.  He  accepted, 
ordered  wine  for  the  party  and  proved  so  entertaining 
a  talker  that  when  he  finally  excused  himself  and  left 
the  room,  one  of  the  men  remarked  : 

11  By  George  !  I  never  took  Denning  for  that  sort. 
Always  thought  he  was  one  of  your  stiff,  reserved 
fellows,  but  he  can  be  sociable  when  he  wants  to  be." 

11  Denning' s  all  right;  a  damned  good  fellow!" 
added  Benham,  that  being  the  highest  encomium  he 
could  bestow. 

"I  should  like  to  know  him  better,"  said  Rigby. 
""We  want  men  of  that  type  in  the  town  I  come 
from." 

Denning  smiled  to  himself  as  he  left  the  elevator 
and  walked  slowly  down  the  corridor  to  his  own  apart- 
ments. He  was  still  smiling  when,  a  few  minutes 
later,  he  seated  himself  before  an  open  window  to 
enjoy  the  luxury  of  an  hour  of  uninterrupted  quiet 
and  seclusion. 

He  had  just  accomplished  one  of  his  little  strokes 
of  finesse  on  which  he  prided  himself  and  which  con- 
stituted the  secret  of  many  of  his  business  successes. 
He  knew  Rigby  by  reputation.  He  wished  to  meet 
him  and  had  come  to  the  Springs  for  that  purpose. 

74 


A  NEW  DEPARTURE 

His  courtesies,  to  which  all  had  been  welcome,  had 
been,  in  reality,  for  Eigby.  He  had  exerted  himself 
to  entertain— Eigby,  and  he  had  attained  his  object. 
Denning  knew  that  as  surely  as  the  morrow  dawned, 
Eigby  would  seek  him  out  for  further  acquaintance. 
He  had,  that  afternoon,  laid  the  foundation  for  his 
next  financial  venture.  Henley  had  been  little  more 
to  him  than  an  experiment,  to  prove  to  himself — and 
incidentally  to  others — the  practicability  or  imprac- 
ticability of  his  plans.  It  had  been,  per  se,  an  un- 
qualified success  ;  but  a  test  merely  opens  the  way  for 
larger  work.  Henley  could  not  hold  him  much 
longer. 

A  box  of  cigars  stood  beside  him  on  a  table,  but  he 
drew  from  its  case  his  favorite  pipe,  to  which  he 
always  resorted  when  an  important  decision  hung  in 
the  balance,  and  having  filled  and  lighted  it,  lay  back 
comfortably,  with  feet  extended  on  the  low  window 
casing,  prepared  to  take  a  long,  deep  look  into  the 
future,  the  aspect  of  which  had,  within  the  last  few 
days,  changed  so  materially. 

For  nearly  an  hour  he  smoked  and  deliberated. 
By  that  time,  he  had  as  he  believed,  outlined  the 
career  of  a  successful  financier  and  man  of  the  world 
from  the  age  of  thirty-five  or  six,  upward  ;  a  man  of 
ability  and  wealth,  just  entering  upon  the  prime  and 
vigor  of  life  ;  a  man  possessing  that  power  over  men 
and  women  that  would  insure  him  success  in  whatever 
arena  he  chose  to  enter,  financial,  social  or  political. 

Women,  however,  had  small  place  in  his  plans. 
The  thought  of  marriage  seemed  repugnant.  Perhaps, 
when  he  should  have  entered  the  political  lists  and 
won  the  crowning  victory  of  his  life,  which  he  now 

75 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

saw  in  the  golden  distance — that  of  an  honored  states- 
manship— a  wife,  worthy  of  the  name  and  position  he 
could  give  her,  might  then,  by  her  own  grace  and 
beauty,  throw  an  additional  lustre  about  the  glory  of 
his  achievements.  But  until  some  such  time,  his 
present  mode  of  life  suited  him  very  well. 

The  future  which  his  imagination  painted  for  him 
must  have  been  a  pleasing  one,  for  he  looked  well 
content  when  Hollingshead  found  him  a  little  later. 

"I  say,  old  man;  you're  not  going  to  flunk  that 
introduction,  are  you  ?  Mrs.  Durant  is  getting  a  little 
too  obvious  for  that,  don't  you  know." 

"Mrs.  Durant,  eh?  "Well,  it  strikes  me,  Dick,  that 
you  are  rather  too  willing  to  share  Mrs.  Durant' s 
favor." 

"It  strikes  me,"  responded  the  other  rather 
grumpily,  "that  about  the  only  use  Mrs.  Durant  has 
for  me  at  present  is  as  a  decoy  for  larger  game." 

" Oh,  that's  the  way  the  wind  blows,  is  it!"  Den- 
ning laughed.  ' l  Isn'  t  it  about  time  for  dinner,  Dick  * ' ' 

"  By  Jove !  yes,  and  thirty  minutes  past." 

The  dining  room  when  they  entered  was  well  filled. 
The  incessant  hum  of  voices  and  the  clatter  of  dishes 
announced  that  dinner  was  already  well  under  way, 
while  the  commingling  blues,  pinks,  heliotropes  and 
greens  of  evening  gowns,  in  all  their  varying  and 
delicate  tints,  relieved  here  and  there  by  pure  white, 
formed  a  delightful  medley  in  color. 

Hollingshead  bowed  and  smiled  to  his  recent  ac- 
quaintances, but  Denning  passed  down  the  room  with 
his  usual  indifferent  air,  looking  neither  to  the  right 
nor  left,  yet  closely  observant.  When  they  took  the 
chairs  the  obsequious  waiter  drew  out  for  them,  Den- 

76 


A  NEW  DEPARTURE 

ning  knew  far  better  than  Hollingshead  each  table 
and  its  occupants. 

"Who  is  the  lady  in  black,  with  the  dark  red  roset " 
he  inquired  when  the  waiter  had  departed  with  their 
orders. 

"A  lady  in  black?"  queried  Hollingshead,  UI 
didn't  see  her  ;  where  is  she  t " 

"  At  the  same  table  with  your  Mrs.  Durant." 

11  The  deuce,  you  say  !  How  do  you  know  which  is 
Mrs.  Durant  ? ' ' 

"By  her  smile,  my  boy  !  It  was  flung  out  as  a 
beacon  light  to  guide  us  up  the  avenue  this  afternoon, 
and  to-night,  it  out-dazzles  even  her  diamonds.  l  My 
lady  of  the  Bed,  Red  Rose '  could  not  have  selected  a 
better  foil." 

Hollingshead  turned  slowly,  his  eyes  resting,  for 
an  instant,  on  Mrs.  Durant.  She  was  resplendent  in 
pink  silk  and  diamonds,  the  latter,  as  she  smiled  and 
bowed,  scintillating  and  coruscating  as  though  in  the 
spirit  of  rivalry  which  Denning  had  suggested.  His 
glance  travelled  across  the  table,  where,  seated  opposite 
Mrs.  Durant,  was  a  woman  whose  supple,  perfectly 
rounded  form  had  yet  a  hint  of  slenderness.  Her 
face,  oval  in  contour,  was  of  a  creamy,  ivory  tint ; 
absolutely  devoid  of  color  except  for  the  vivid  scarlet 
of  her  lips.  He  could  not  see  her  eyes,  but  her  brows 
were  straight  and  well  denned,  and  from  a  low,  broad 
forehead  the  dark  brown  hair  rippled  in  glorious, 
natural  waves  to  a  loose,  graceful  knot  at  the  nape  of 
her  neck.  Her  gown  was  black, — of  a  soft,  clinging 
material  which  accentuated  the  perfect  symmetry  of 
her  form,  yet  shimmered  here  and  there  with  a  silken 
sheen — without  jewel  or  ornament,  save  for  a  superb 

77 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

red  rose  which  lay  on  her  breast.  Her  face  was 
slightly  averted,  but  the  poise  of  the  head,  the  ex- 
quisite curves  of  cheek  and  neck,  were  faultless.  She 
seemed  more  like  some  rare  portrait  in  ivory  than 
like  a  living  woman. 

With  a  swift  intake  of  his  breath,  Hollingshead 
gazed  at  her  without  speaking. 

"By  Jove!  Isn't  she  a  peach!"  he  finally 
exclaimed,  his  eyes  seeking  Denning' s. 

"  Blood  and  breeding  will  tell  every  time,  and  there 
you  have  them,"  the  latter  answered  with  the  cool 
indiflference  of  the  connoisseur  ;  "she  will  score  more 
fine  points  than  any  other  woman  in  the  room." 

"'Pon  my  soul,  Mac,  one  would  think  you  were 
speaking  of  ahorse  !"  Hollingshead  retorted,  with  a 
shade  of  impatience. 

ll~No  use  getting  hot  about  it,"  returned  the  other 
imperturbably,  "I  believe  the  animal  of  the  genus 
homo  is  subject  to  most  of  the  same  general  laws  as 
the  other  animals." 

Without  deigning  to  reply,  Hollingshead  again 
directed  his  attention  to  the  lady  in  black,  but,  to  his 
evident  discomfiture,  encountered  a  pair  of  dark  eyes, 
brilliant  but  cold,  and  which  grew  perceptibly  colder 
as  they  read  the  undisguised  admiration  in  his  glance. 
As  Hollingshead  withdrew  his  eyes,  he  caught  an 
unmistakable  smile  of  amusement  on  Mrs.  Durant's 
face,  and  red  and  embarrassed,  turned  to  find  Denning 
enjoying  the  situation. 

"'Did  you  ever  get  leftf"  hummed  the  latter, 
under  his  breath. 

More  than  once  during  dinner,  Hollingshead  glanced 
curiously  at  Denning.  He  was  reminded  of  that  night 

78 


A  NEW  DEPARTURE 

in  Shasta,  more  than  three  years  before,  when  Den- 
ning's  excitement  over  the  news  of  the  Bonnibel's 
undiscovered  wealth  had  rendered  him  not  quite 
himself.  His  face  was  flushed  and  his  eyes  were  un- 
usually bright  to-night,  and  there  was  an  unnatural 
gayety  in  his  manner,  all  betokening,  as  Hollings- 
head  well  knew,  some  new  business  success  which 
Denning  had  not  seen  fit  to  divulge. 

After  dinner,  Denning  found  himself  one  of  the 
centres  of  attraction,  his  business  acquaintances  has- 
tening to  introduce  him  to  their  wives  and  daughters. 
At  an  opportune  moment,  Hollingshead  presented 
him  to  Mrs.  Durant,  who,  a  little  later,  succeeded  in 
drawing  him  into  the  inevitable  tete-d-tete  in  one  of 
the  hotel  parlors. 

Half  an  hour  afterward,  Hollingshead,  passing  a 
window  near  them,  was  amused  at  what  he  saw. 
Mrs.  Durant' s  face  was  in  the  shadow;  he  could  not 
catch  its  expression.  But  Denning  wore  a  mask  of 
impassivity  which  Hollingshead  imagined  would  tax 
her  penetrative  faculties  to  their  utmost ;  while  at 
their  feet  was  Psyche,  alert,  watchful,  but  preserving 
an  attitude  of  strict  neutrality  towards  the  new-comer, 
with  no  show  of  hostility,  or  overture  of  friendliness. 

Hollingshead  turned  away  with  a  smile,  but  also 
with  a  half  troubled  consciousness  that  he,  too,  had 
been  of  late  rather  shut  out  from  Denning7  s 
confidence. 


79 


IX 

AN  UNLOCKED  FOR  EVENT 


SUNDAY  differed  from,  the  ordinary  day  at  the 
Springs,  being  a  general  holiday.  Each  one  break- 
fasted according  to  his  individual  inclination,  and 
some  did  not  breakfast  at  all.  Dinner  was  served 
from  one  to  two-thirty,  an  arrangement  by  which  all 
who  so  desired  could  attend  the  base-ball  game  which 
opened  at  three,  in  an  open  space  designated  on  the 
posters  as  "  Hampton  Park,"  about  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  from  the  hotel.  After  the  game,  or  from  six  to 
seven-thirty,  " supper"  was  served. 

Denning,  who  occupied  his  suite  of  rooms  at  the  club, 
was  awakened  at  ten  by  the  elevator  boy,  who  in- 
formed him  that  Mr.  Eigby  would  like  an  appoint- 
ment with  Mr.  Denning  at  any  hour  convenient  to  the 
latter.  After  consulting  his  watch,  Denning  named 
eleven-thirty,  if  agreeable  to  Mr.  Eigby.  He  then 
took  his  bath,  visited  the  tonsorial  artist  in  the  lower 
regions  of  the  club  house  where  the  Sunday  law  re- 
garding that  line  of  art  was  skilfully  evaded,  after 
which  he  ordered  breakfast  served  in  his  apartments. 
He  entered  his  reception  room  by  a  rear  door  as  the 
genius  of  the  elevator  conducted  Mr.  Eigby  to  the  hall 
door. 

Mr.  Eigby  would  no  doubt  have  been  greatly  aston- 
ished could  he  have  been  told  that  his  visit  was  the 

80 


AN  UNLOCKED  FOR  EVENT 

result  of,  and  a  part  of,  a  preconceived  plan  of  Den- 
ning's,  and  anticipated  by  the  latter.  To  himself,  it 
was  simply  the  outcome  of  a  thought  which  had  oc- 
curred to  him  the  preceding  day  while  listening  to 
Denning' s  conversation  ;  and  the  man  seated  opposite 
him  in  immaculate  white  duck — cool,  nonchalant,  ur- 
bane,— was,  of  course,  unconscious  of  the  object  upon 
which  he  had  come  ;  as  unconscious  as  he  looked  to  be 
of  the  sudden  heat  that  glowed  and  palpitated  that 
morning  in  the  blinding  glare  of  the  alkaline  sand 
outside. 

About  an  hour  later,  Hollingshead,  also  in  white 
duck,  strolled  leisurely  over  to  the  club  house  from 
the  hotel. 

"Mr.  Denning' s  apartments,"  he  said,  stepping  into 
the  elevator. 

"Mistah  Denning' s  engaged,  sah,"  said  the  Genius, 
without  quitting  his  seat. 

' l  Engaged,  you  black  monkey  !  What  do  you  mean  ? 
Is  he  in  bed,  or  in  his  tub  ?  " 

"He  ain't  in  no  tub,  sah  j  he's  in  his  pahloh  wid 
a  gem7  man  what  made  a  'pointment  wid  him  befo' 
he's  up." 

"The  deuce,  you  say  !  I  guess  he'll  see  me  ;  take 
me  up." 

"I  tell  you,  sah,  he  won't  see  nobody ;  dem's  his 
pacific  instructions,  sah." 

This  was  said  with  an  air  of  finality  which  precluded 
further  argument  and  Hollingshead  turned  on  his 
heel. 

"You  go  to — Hades  ! "  he  muttered. 

"See  yoh  dar  yohse'f  fust,  boss!"   retorted  the 
Genius,  under  his  breath. 
6  81 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

In  no  very  pleasant  mood,  Hollingshead  sauntered 
aimlessly  back  to  the  hotel.  The  veranda  was  practi- 
cally deserted,  but  as  he  entered  the  broad  hall  be- 
tween the  office  and  a  little  waiting  room,  he  was  sud- 
denly confronted  by  a  small,  wriggling,  leaping  object 
which  sprang  upon  him  with  an  utter  disregard  for 
white  duck.  Fortunately  for  Psyche,  her  mistress 
emerged  from  a  side  door,  or  she  would  have  met  with 
an  ungracious  reception. 

"Good  morning,  Mr.  Hollingshead  ;  isn't  this  posi- 
tively dreadful1?  I  am  nearly  prostrated  by  this 
terrible  heat,  coming  so  suddenly,  too,  you  know  ! " 

"  Beastly!"  he  growled  5  "  Don't  feel  jolly  fit 
myself,  this  morning." 

She  sank  upon  a  divan  close  at  hand  in  the  hall  and 
he,  not  knowing  what  else  to  do,  dropped  with  an 
explosive  sort  of  a  sigh  into  a  large  wicker  chair 
standing  near,  where  he  sat  moodily  silent. 

"I  didn't  see  you  or  Mr.  Denning  at  breakfast. 
How  is  he  feeling  after  last  night's  gayety  ?  " 

"  I  haven't  seen  Mr.  Denning  this  morning."  The 
recollection  of  his  recent  interview  with  the  Genius 
imparted  a  certain  degree  of  acerbity  to  his  reply. 

A  brief  silence  followed,  in  which  Mrs.  Durant 
wondered  whether  a  coolness  had  arisen  between 
the  two  men  and,  woman-like,  began  to  speculate 
regarding  its  cause. 

Meanwhile  Hollingshead  had  discovered  certain 
dusty  imprints — the  marks  of  Psyche's  affection — upon 
his  duck  trousers,  which  fact  did  not  tend  to  mollify 
his  already  perturbed  spirit.  He  glared  savagely  at 
the  offending  spots,  then  began  a  vigorous  application 
of  his  handkerchief. 

82 


AN  UNLOCKED  FOR  EVENT 

"Did  Psyche  do  that?  What  a  shame  !  Psyche, 
you  naughty  !" 

11  Oh,  it's  no  consequence,"  he  replied,  quite  red  in 
the  face,  presumably  from  his  exertions,  "she  is  sim- 
ply rather  over-demonstrative  don't  you  know,  like 
most  of  her  sex." 

Perhaps  the  remark  was  intended  simply  as  a  safety- 
valve  for  his  pent-up  emotions.  At  any  rate,  it  re- 
lieved his  feelings  and  the  spots  having  entirely  dis- 
appeared, he  speedily  grew  more  amiable.  Glanc- 
ing at  Mrs.  Durant,  he  read  in  her  face  her  huge 
enjoyment  of  the  situation. 

"The  little  beastie's  all  right,"  he  said  half- 
apologetically;  "she  means  well,  don't  you  know." 

"Like  most  of  her  sex,"  supplemented  Mrs. 
Durant. 

" Oh,  I  say,"  he  protested,  "there's  no  need  to  rub 
it  in." 

"Don't  be  so  sweeping  in  your  remarks  next  time. 
I  can  assure  you,  Mr.  Hollingshead,  that  the  lady  you 
were  so  interested  in  at  dinner  last  evening  will  never 
be  guilty  of  over-demonstrativeness." 

"  Then  she  must  be  one  of  the  exceptions  that  go  to 
prove  the  rule,"  he  answered,  laughing.  "Who  was 
she?" 

"  Incorrigible !  You  don't  deserve  to  be  told.  That 
was  Mrs.  Wynne.  Would  you  like  to  be  presented?  " 

"One  good  turn  deserves  another,  I  believe." 

"I  wonder,"  Mrs.  Durant  looked  rather  pointedly 
at  Hollingshead,  "I  wonder  whether  Mrs.  Wynne, 
when  you  meet  her,  will  fulfil  your  expectations." 

"I  wonder,"  he  replied,  returning  her  look, 
"whether  Mr.  Denning  fulfilled  yours?" 

83 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

She  laughed.  "I  don't  know  that  I  had  any  defi- 
nite expectations.  He  is  not  at  all  what  gossip  and 
report — or  even  your  own  words — might  have  led 
me  to  expect.  He  must  exhibit  different  phases  to 
different  people,  so  that  no  two  get  the  same  view. 
Interesting,  isn't  it,  to  be  able  to  do  so?" 

"  What  was  your  view  ?  "  he  asked,  smiling  at  what 
he  considered  her  whimsicality. 

"Oh,  he  turned  the  perfectly  opaque  side  to  me, 
while  those  keen  eyes  of  his  looked  me  through  and 
through,  as  though  I  had  been  made  of  glass. ' ' 

He  failed  to  detect  the  irony  in  her  words  and 
remarked  complacently  : 

11  Yes,  Mr.  Denning  has  remarkable  penetration  and 
a  certain  amount  of  reserve.  I  sometimes  think  that 
is  half  the  secret  of  his  wonderful  success." 

"  And  the  other  half!  "  she  asked,  smiling. 

11  Oh,  I  suppose  a  number  of  traits  combined,"  he 
replied  indifferently,  "  his  ambition,  and  so  forth." 

"And  his  egoism,"  she  added  softly. 

"Egoism  ! "  he  exclaimed,  "Why  do  you  say  that, 
Mrs.  Durant!" 

"Because,  with  all  due  respect  for  Mr.  Denning,  it 
is  his  dominant  characteristic.  He  is  the  most  sub- 
lime egoist  I  ever  met.  His  self-love  amounts  to  a 
perfect  passion,  to  the  exclusion  of  every  other.  The 
one  thing  that  seems  inconsistent  with  the  man  him- 
self, is  the  line  along  which  his  egoism  manifests 
itself." 

1 1  And  that  is— what  ? ' ' 

"Self-glorification,  instead  of  self -gratification,"  she 
replied  with  an  enigmatical  smile. 

Then  noting  a  shade   of  annoyance   on  his   face, 
84 


AN  UNLOCKED  FOR  EVENT 

she  rose  and  picking  up  the  somnolent  Psyche,  said 
laughingly : 

11 1  see  you  think  I  am  traducing  your  friend  and  it 
is  dinner  time,  but  if,  after  a  better  acquaintance  with 
Mr.  Denning  than  you  seem  to  possess  yet,  your 
judgment  doesn't  confirm  what  I've  said  to  you  this 
morning,  you  shall  have  two  pounds  of  bon-bons." 

1  i  Oh,  I  say  !  but  you  took  me  rather  by  surprise, 
don't  you  know.  And  about  the  bon-bons,  Psyche 
shall  have  them  all  right.  But  I  wish  you  would  ex- 
plain that  last  remark  of  yours  about  Mr.  Denning." 

"Not  now,  Mr.  Hollingshead  j  I'm  famished. 
Besides,  it  will  explain  itself  as  you  become  better 
acquainted  with  Mr.  Denning." 

11 1  flatter  myself  I  know  Mr.  Denning  now  better 
than  any  one  else,"  he  replied  half-resentfully. 

1 '  I  haven' t  a  doubt  of  it, ' '  she  answered,  and  seemed 
about  to  make  a  laughing  response,  but  changed  her 
mind  and  added  with  a  gentle  seriousness,  wholly  new 
to  her,  "there  may  be  depths,  you  know,  that  even 
you  have  not  sounded." 

After  waiting  nearly  an  hour  for  Denning,  Hollings- 
head went  in  to  dinner  alone.  He  had  reached  the 
fourth  course  and  the  dining  room  was  practically 
deserted  when  Denning  entered  with  a  stranger  whom 
he  introduced  as  Mr.  Bigby.  Hollingshead  was  an- 
noyed at  having  a  third  party  forced  upon  him  when 
he  wished  to  see  Denning  alone.  Mr.  Bigby,  finding 
his  friend's  friend  rather  uncommunicative,  naturally 
addressed  himself  to  Denning,  while  Hollingshead  fin- 
ished his  dinner  in  silence.  After  dinner,  it  transpired 
that  Mr.  Bigby  could  not  attend  the  ball  game,  as  he 

85 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

was  to  take  the  afternoon  train  for  Shasta.  Denning, 
therefore,  out  of  courtesy  to  his  guest,  was  obliged  to 
decline  Hollingshead's  invitation,  and  the  latter,  with 
two  tickets  in  his  pocket  and  wrath  in  his  heart,  set 
forth  alone  for  Hampton  Park,  notwithstanding  the 
many  appealing  feminine  glances  cast  in  his  direction. 

A  few  hours  later,  Denning,  having  seen  Mr.  Rigby 
aboard  the  train  for  Shasta,  was  walking  up  and  down 
the  platform  of  the  little  station.  His  train  for  Hen- 
ley was  due  in  half  an  hour,  and  he  preferred  waiting 
at  the  station,  alone  with  his  reflections,  to  going  back 
to  the  club  house  or  hotel.  He  wanted  to  be  alone,  to 
think  over  the  events  of  the  day,  to  exult  in  its  achieve- 
ments. That  day  represented  to  him  the  best  work  of 
his  life  thus  far.  He  had  come  to  the  Springs  with  a 
definite  purpose,  and  he  had  accomplished  it. 

Rigby' s  name  had  long  been  familiar  to  Denning. 
More  than  two  years  before,  while  Henley  was  yet  in 
its  infancy,  two  of  the  leading  banks,  in  one  of  the 
larger  cities  along  the  coast,  had  suspended  payment 
within  two  weeks  of  each  other.  A  panic  had  followed 
and  Rigby  had  been  the  man  sent  out  by  the  comp- 
troller to  bring  order  out  of  this  chaos.  He  was  ap- 
pointed receiver  for  both  banks  and  he  had  executed 
his  trust  with  exceptional  ability  and  fidelity.  The 
affairs  of  the  insolvent  banks  were  now  nearly  adjusted 
and  it  had  been  rumored  that  in  the  near  future,  a 
new  bank  was  to  be  organized,  designed  to  be  one  of 
the  leading  institutions  of  its  kind  in  the  North  West ; 
and  the  personnel  of  its  officials  and  directors  was 
known  to  rest  mainly  in  Rigby' s  hands. 

For  the  last  few  weeks,  Denning  had  been  planning 
a  trip  to  the  coast,  which  should  include,  among  other 

86 


AN  UNLOCKED  FOR  EVENT 

business  projects,  an  interview  with  Mr.  Eigby.  The 
day  following  Mr.  Eichards'  call,  however,  he  had  seen 
by  the  papers  that  Mr.  Eigby  was  making  a  flying 
visit  to  Shasta  and  would  spend  the  succeeding  Sunday 
at  Hampton  Springs ;  and  he  had  laid  his  plans  ac- 
cordingly. They  had  succeeded  even  beyond  his  an- 
ticipations, and  as  he  walked  up  and  down  before  the 
little  station,  it  was  with  the  consciousness  that  when, 
seven  months  later,  on  the  first  of  January,  the  North 
Western  Bank  of  Eockland  should  open  its  doors  to 
the  public,  he,  Thomas  Macavoy  Denning,  would  be 
its  president. 

Much  remained  to  be  done  in  the  coming  seven 
months.  Already  he  was  planning  the  disposal  of  his 
present  interests  to  suit  the  new  conditions. 

Shouts  and  cheers,  distant  but  coming  nearer,  broke 
in  upon  his  thoughts.  The  ball  game  was  over.  Busses 
and  carryalls,  filled  with  players  and  spectators,  were 
driving  rapidly  toward  the  station,  where  the  two 
teams  were  to  take  the  train  for  their  respective  homes. 
Denning  was  not  particularly  interested  in  the  score, 
or  the  fine  points  of  the  game,  noisily  shouted  from 
mouth  to  mouth,  and  he  passed  around  to  the  rear  of 
the  station  where  he  continued  his  plans,  till  warned 
by  the  whistle  that  his  train  was  coming.  Even  then, 
he  walked  leisurely  around  the  end  of  the  building, 
until,  as  he  approached  the  corner,  he  was  suddenly 
aware  of  some  excitement  other  than  that  occasioned 
by  the  results  of  the  game. 

Across  the  street  from  the  station  and  on  the  other 
side  of  the  railway  tracks,  a  pair  of  restive  horses,  at- 
tached to  a  light  carriage,  frightened  by  the  noisy  dem- 
onstrations of  the  crowd  and  by  the  oncoming  train, 

87 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

were  getting  beyond  the  control  of  the  driver.  Sud- 
denly a  terrible  cry  went  up  from  the  crowd  ;  shrieks 
from  the  women,  deep,  hoarse  groans  from  the  men. 
A  little  child,  of  four  or  five  years,  unnoticed  before, 
had  come  running  down  the  avenue  from  the  hotel  to 
within  three  or  four  yards  of  the  rearing,  plunging 
team  ;  then,  frightened,  had  turned  and  run  a  few  steps 
onto  the  track,  where  she  stopped,  her  back  to  the  ap- 
proaching train,  seeing  only  the  horses  and  bewildered 
by  the  cries  of  the  crowd. 

She  was  so  far  away  and  the  train  so  near,  it  was 
futile  to  think  of  saving  her,  and  after  that  one  great 
cry,  every  one  stood  as  though  paralyzed,  when  a  pow- 
erful form  shot  out  from  the  corner  of  the  station,  past 
the  speechless,  breathless  crowd,  and  Denning,  with 
the  roar  of  the  train  in  his  ears  and  its  hot  breath  on 
his  cheek,  caught  the  little  one  by  the  belt  of  her  broad 
sash  and  swinging  her  with  one  hand  at  arm's  length 
before  him,  turned  on  his  heel  just  as  the  engine 
rushed  past. 

A  roar  of  applause  went  up  from  the  crowd  that  an 
instant  before  had  been  still  with  the  hush  of  death. 
Scarcely  knowing  what  he  had  done,  Denning  paid  no 
heed  to  the  applause,  for  as  he  held  the  child  in  his 
arms,  close  to  his  breast,  he  was  conscious  of  a  new 
sensation,  as  sweet  as  it  was  strange. 

His  sudden  grasp  of  the  child  and  the  suspension  in 
mid  air  had  given  her  a  shock,  and  for  an  instant,  her 
lips  quivered,  though  she  did  not  utter  a  cry,  but 
smiled  bravely  into  his  eyes  as  he  took  her  in  his  arms. 
But  -when  the  people  burst  forth,  in  round  after  round 
of  cheers,  and  began  to  crowd  wildly  about  her,  she 
turned  from  them  all  and  clasping  her  arms  about 

88 


AN  UNLOCKED  FOR  EVENT 

Denning' s  neck,  hid  her  face  on  his  shoulder.  Then 
it  was,  with  the  child's  face  against  his  cheek,  the  wavy 
golden  hair  brushing  his  face  and  rippling  across  his 
breast,  that  the  strong  man,  the  man  of  the  world, 
thrilled  to  the  touch  of  the  little  fingers  and  trembled. 
Something  new,  a  sweetness  never  before  tasted,  had 
come  into  his  life,  and  unconsciously,  he  strained  the 
little  one  to  his  breast  as  though  he  would  never  let 
her  go. 

"Why,  it's  Mrs.  "Wynne's  little  girl,"  exclaimed 
some  one  from  the  hotel,  "I  will  take  her  to  her 
mother ;  she  must  be  worried  to  death  about  her." 

"I  will  take  her,  myself,"  said  Dinning,  feeling  the 
little  arms  tighten  about  his  neck. 

"Evans,"  he  called  to  the  conductor,  "I've  got  to 
go  to  the  hotel,  but  I'll  be  back  inside  of  five  minutes." 

Evans  nodded.  The  train  was  a  Sunday  ' i  special, ' ' 
scheduled  to  stop  for  five  minutes  at  the  Springs,  but 
it  would  stop  longer  than  that  for  Denning,  who  was 
one  of  the  heaviest  stockholders  in  the  company. 

"What  is  your  name,  little  one*"  Denning  asked 
as  he  left  the  crowd  and  started  up  the  avenue. 

"Helen;  Helen  Wynne,"  she  answered;  then 
smiling  confidingly  into  his  face,  she  added  : 

"  I  guess  I  would  have  been  runned  over  if  it  hadn't 
been  for  you,  wouldn't  I?  " 

Denning  shuddered  as  he  began  to  realize  what  she 
had  escaped. 

"  How  did  you  come  to  be  down  there  all  alone  T  " 
he  asked. 

"  I  was  out  with  Lena  and  she  stopped  to  speak  to  a 
man,  and  they  went  into  a  candy  shop.  Then  all  that 
big  crowd  came  by  and  I  lost  her.  And  I  wanted  to 

89 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

see  the  men  in  red  blouses  and  caps,  so  I  went  down  to 
the  station,  and  first  I  knew  I  saw  the  horses  and  the  peo- 
ple screamed  so,  I  was  frightened  and  didn't  know 
what  to  do.  I  'spect,"  she  added  reflectively,  "that 
Lena  is  just  scared  to  death  about  me  by  this  time, 
don't  you?" 

"If  she  isn't,  she  ought  to  be,"  Denning  replied. 
"She  had  no  business  to  leave  you  alone  in  that 
mob." 

' l  There  she  is  now,  with  mamma,  looking  for  me, 
and  she  does  look  scared,  doesn't  she?"  and  the 
little  one  laughed  triumphantly,  waving  one  hand, 
while  she  kept  the  other  persistently  clasped  about 
Denning' s  neck. 

He  observed  the  two  coming  down  the  avenue  towards 
them.  One  was  a  young  woman,  in  nursemaid's  cap 
and  apron,  whose  pale,  tear-stained  face  bore  evidence 
of  her  recent  fright.  The  other,  Denning  at  once  recog- 
nized as  the  woman  whose  singular  beauty  had  arrested 
his  attention  in  the  dining  room  the  preceding  even- 
ing. Now,  as  then,  she  was  dressed  in  black,  with  a 
dark  red  rose  as  her  only  ornament,  but  her  gown 
to-day  was  of  black  net,  through  which  her  exquisitely 
moulded  neck  and  shoulders  and  beautifully  rounded 
arms  gleamed  with  the  same  pure  ivory  tint  which  had 
distinguished  her  face  the  night  before. 

She  was  frowning  slightly,  but  to  Denning' s  keen 
observation,  the  frown  seemed  less  an  expression  of 
anxiety  than  of  annoyance.  His  impression  was 
confirmed  by  Helen,  who  remarked  naively : 

"I  guess  I'm  going  to  get  a  talking  to ;  mamma's 
got  her  talkative  face  on." 

He  could  scarcely  restrain  a  smile  at  her  corrobora- 
90 


AN  UNLOCKED  FOR  EVENT 

tion  of  his  thought,  but  he  bowed  gravely  to  Mrs. 
Wynne,  as  he  lifted  his  hat. 

"I  found  your  little  one  at  the  station,  madam,  and 
as  it  did  not  seem  a  very  safe  place  for  her,  I  thought 
I  would  bring  her  to  the  hotel." 

"I  thank  you  very  much.  "We  were  quite  anxious 
about  her  and  you  have  placed  us  under  great  obliga- 
tions ;  but  I  regret  she  should  have  caused  you  this 
trouble." 

' l  It  was  no  trouble,  I  assure  you,  only  a  pleasure ' ' 

"And  he  was  so  nice,  mamma,"  Helen  interposed 
eagerly,  u  I  would  have  been  runned  over  if  it  hadn't 
been  for  him." 

11 1  dare  say  you  would,"  Mrs.  Wynne  replied,  not 
dreaming  of  taking  the  child's  words  literally  :  "  You 
had  no  right  to  go  to  the  station,  because  you  knew 
mamma  had  forbidden  it.  You  may  go  with  Lena 
directly  to  your  room  and  we  will  talk  this  over  by 
and  by,  and  see  what  is  to  be  done  with  a  little  girl 
who  disobeys  her  mamma." 

The  brown  eyes  looked  slyly  into  Denning' s  face 
with  an  "I-told-you-so,"  but  she  seemed  in  no  haste 
to  leave  him. 

"  Helen  ! "  said  her  mother  sternly. 

The  little  one  turned  and  putting  both  arms  about 
Denning' s  neck,  held  up  her  lips  for  a  kiss.  Strangely 
moved,  he  kissed  her. 

"Good-by,  Mr.  Man,"  she  said,  "I  thank  you  for 
bringing  me  home,  and  I'll  see  you  again,  some  other 
day — won't  I  ? "  she  queried  rather  wistfully. 

"I  hope  so,  Helen  ;  I  will  certainly  want  to  see 
you,"  he  replied,  as  he  gently  released  her. 

Her  mother  had  looked  on  in  amazement. 
91 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"  Helen  Wynne,  I  am  astonished  ! "  she  exclaimed. 

The  child  did  not  vouchsafe  even  a  look  in  reply, 
bnt  walked  rapidly  up  the  avenue,  in  advance  of  Lena. 
Mrs.  "Wynne  glanced  inquiringly  at  Denning,  almost 
as  though  she  would  ask  an  explanation  of  her 
conduct. 

"These  little  ones  usually  know  their  friends  and 
whom  to  trust,"  he  said  with  a  smile ;  "  they  are  not 
half  so  likely  to  make  mistakes  as  some  of  us  older 
ones." 

She  saw  that  something  had  touched  his  feelings 
deeply,  and  wisely  refrained  from  any  comment. 

11  Perhaps  so,"  was  her  only  reply. 

"  Pardon  me,"  he  added,  "  if  I  suggest  that  the  maid 
was  far  more  to  blame  than  the  child  in  this  affair." 

"She  was,  of  course  ;  but  she  has  been  sufficiently 
punished  in  the  fright  she  has  suffered.  Helen,  when 
she  found  herself  alone,  should  have  returned  at  once 
to  the  hotel." 

"I  think  that  would  hardly  have  been  possible, 
under  the  circumstances,  with  the  crowd  that  was 
surging  just  then  in  the  opposite  direction." 

She  divined  his  motive  and  smiled:  "I  did  not 
know  that,"  she  said,  "  I  will  be  lenient  accordingly." 

"Thank  you,"  he  said,  and  lifted  his  hat  as  he 
turned  to  leave. 

"I  don't  know  how  to  thank  you  for  your  kind- 
ness," she  said,  with  more  cordiality  than  she  had  yet 
shown. 

"Please  don't  thank  me;  it  was  a  pleasure,  and 
nothing  but  a  pleasure,"  and  with  another  salute,  he 
turned  and  passed  swiftly  down  the  avenue  to  the 
train  awaiting  him. 

92 


X 

UNLOCKED  FOR  RESULTS 


HOLLJNGSHEAD  remained  at  the  Springs  till  toward 
the  close  of  the  following  week  ;  when  he  appeared  one 
morning,  at  an  hour  nnusual  for  him,  in  Denning' s 
private  office. 

"  Hullo,  old  man  !"  was  his  laconic  greeting  ad- 
dressed to  Denning' s  broad  back  as  he  sat  before  his 
desk.  The  latter  swung  himself  quickly  around  in 
his  swivel  chair. 

11  Hullo,  Dick!  Where  have  you  kept  yourself f 
Haven't  seen  you  for  nearly  a  week." 

"  Didn't  seem  jolly  anxious  to  see  me  when  you  had 
the  chance." 

" Sunday,  you  mean?  Sorry  about  that,  Dick, 
awfully  sorry  j  but  I  had  an  important  engagement 
with  Eigby  and  it  took  more  time  than  I  expected. 
Business,  you  know,  Dick." 

"Oh,  business,  of  course;  nobody  who  knew  you 
would  have  any  doubt  of  that.  Do  you  know, 
Mac," — Hollingshead  lay  back  in  a  comfortable  chair, 
thrusting  his  hands  in  his  pockets  as  he  looked  at 
Denning  with  a  mocking  smile — ll  if  you're  ever  for- 
tunate enough  to  get  to  the  '  Happy  Land '  they  used 
to  tell  us  little  Sunday  School  chaps  about,  that  the 
first  thing  you'll  do  will  be  to  sit  down  and  organize 
a  stock  company  to  get  exclusive  control  of  the 
golden  streets  of  the  New  Jerusalem1?  " 

93 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"I'm  not  thinking  what  I'll  do  under  those  condi- 
tions. This  is  the  only  world  we're  sure  of  and  I'm 
going  to  make  the  most  of  it." 

"Exactly.  In  other  words,  you've  staked  out  the 
<  Earth J  and  are  going  to  get  it  patented.  I  only 
hope,"  he  added  pensively,  "  there' 11  be  a  small  place 
left  in  it  for  your  humble  servant." 

Denning  smiled  :  "  That  is  just  what  I  intend  doing 
now.  I  am  making  new  plans,  Dick,  which  will  in- 
clude a  place  for  you.  I'm  not  ready  to  say  anything 
definite  just  yet,  but  when  I  am,  you'll  be  the  first  to 
know." 

"Thanks,  awfully,  old  man.  I'm  in  no  hurry,  you 
know ;  any  time  will  do,"  Hollingshead  answered 
coolly,  supposing  it  all  a  joke.  "  I'm  off  this  morning 
for  a  couple  of  weeks,  and  just  ran  in  for  a  minute  or 
two." 

"Off?    Where!" 

"  British  Columbia.  Got  a  wire  this  morning  from 
Richards.  He  wants  me  to  look  at  some  properties  up 
there." 

1 1  Richards  ?    Is  that  so  ?  " 

"Yes ;  the  old  duffer  took  a  liking  to  me  for  show- 
ing him  round  when  he  was  here.  He  told  me  he  was 
going  from  here  to  look  up  some  B.  C.  properties  and 
that  he  would  wire  me  when  he  was  ready." 

"  Be  gone  a  couple  of  weeks,  did  you  say  ? '' 

"About  that.  I  suppose,"  Hollingshead  added, 
"when  I  get  back  you'll  be  fairly  in  the  swim.  You 
plunged  in  Saturday  night  in  good  shape." 

"  Oh,  well ;"  Denning  laughed,  "  that  sort  of  thing 
pleases  people,  you  know." 

"  You're  right,  old  man,  and  some  of  the  l  people ' 
94 


UNLOCKED  FOR  RESULTS 

happen  to  be  men  worth  standing  in  with.  But  your 
cleverest  piece  of  work  was  Sunday  afternoon ;  that 
life-saving  business." 

"That  little  child!"  Denning  exclaimed,  "Good 
God  !  Dick,  are  you  a  fool  f  Do  you  suppose  there 
was  any  policy  business  about  that?  Why,  man 
alive  !  I  didn't  have  time  to  think  of  anything.  There 
the  little  thing  stood,  with  that  train  roaring  like  hell 
itself,  right  down  upon  her !  I  don't  know  what  I 
did,  or  how  I  did  it — and  you  call  it  a  clever  piece  of 
work  !" 

' l  Beg  your  pardon,  old  man  ;  I  was  only  chaffing. 
I  take  it  back.  But,  by  Jove,  it  was  fine  !  Splendid  ! 
I  tell  you,  your  stock  soared  then.  They  didn't  talk 
about  anything  else  that  night ;  they  wanted  to  get  up 
a  testimonial,  but  they  were  afraid  you  wouldn't  take 
it  right.  There's  one  thing  certain,"  he  added,  "you 
won't  need  any  introduction  to  Mrs.  Wynne  now." 

"Well,  what  do  I  care  about  that!"  Denning 
asked  quietly  j  "  I  don't  know  that  that  counts  one 
way  or  the  other.  I  met  Mrs.  Wynne  when  I  took 
the  child  to  the  hotel  and  she  was  as  cool  as  an  iced 
cucumber." 

"That  was  before  she  knew  the  particulars," 
Hollingshead  replied  quickly. 

"  I  don't  know  that  I'm  interested  in  Mrs. 
Wynne,"  said  Denning,  after  a  pause.  "But,  Dick, 
you  should  have  seen  the  child  !  The  little  creature 
clung  to  me  all  the  way  to  the  hotel ;  she  wouldn't 
leave  me  till  her  mother  insisted  ;  then  she  kissed  me 
good-by.  She  was  the  sweetest  little  bit  of  humanity 
I've  ever  come  across  and  she  affected  me  some  way — 
I  don't  know  how — I  can't  get  over  it ;  I  can't  forget 

95 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

her,  somehow.  I've  felt  a  different  sort  of  man  some 
way  since  holding  that  little  child  in  my  arms." 

Hollingshead,  looking  curiously  at  his  old  chum, 
saw,  for  the  first  time,  the  steel-blue  eyes  strangely 
softened,  suffused  with  a  tender  light,  and  for  once, 
there  was  no  mockery  in  his  own.  He  looked  away. 

11 1  guess,  Mac,  old  man,  "  he  said  slowly,  after  a 
pause,  li  we've  been  so  busy  making  money  that  we've 
missed  some  mighty  good  things  without  knowing  it. 
Ajid  now,"  he  added,  with  a  lighter  touch,  "it's 
getting  rather  late  in  the  day.  We're  a  pair  of 
confirmed  old  bachelors." 

A  peculiar  look  crossed  Denning' s  face,  but  Hol- 
lingshead did  not  see  it.  He  looked  at  his  watch, 
closed  it  with  a  snap  and  jumped  to  his  feet. 

11  Great  Caesar  !  it's  nearly  train  time  ;  I  must  get  a 
move  on  myself.  So  long,  old  man ;  be  good  to 
yourself." 

"Good  luck  to  you,  Dick  !  When  you  come  back, 
Til  have  a  proposition  for  you." 

"All  right.  I'm  open  to  anything,  matrimony  in- 
cluded. Look  after  the  ladies  over  there,  Mac  ;  I 
leave  'em  in  your  care.  By  the  way,  what  do  you 
think  Mrs.  Durant  called  you? " 

"Nothing  flattering." 

"Depends  on  how  you  look  at  it.  She  says  you're 
a  l  sublime  egoist.'  " 

Denning  thought  an  instant;  then  laughed:  "By 
George !  that's  not  half  bad  either.  Give  her  my 
compliments.  I  didn't  suppose  she  had  that  much 
penetration,  and  I  thought  she  was  rather  keen,  too." 

"  Oh,  she's  bright ;  she  has  ideas  now  and  then  that 
set  a  fellow  thinking,  only  they're  generally  done  up 

96 


UNLOCKED  FOR  RESULTS 

in  so  much  nonsense  it's  like  hunting  for  a  collar 
button  in  a  barrel  of  excelsior,  to  find  'em,"  and 
with  a  laugh,  Hollingshead  flung  himself  out  of  the 
office. 

By  the  end  of  the  week  the  arrangements  with 
Eigby  had  been  completed.  Nothing  remained  for 
Denning,  but  to  make  such  disposal  of  his  present 
interests  that,  with  the  beginning  of  the  new  year,  he 
could  enter,  free  and  untrammelled,  upon  his  newer 
and  larger  work. 

But  while  flushed  with  his  recent  success  and  busied 
with  new  plans,  there  had  come  to  him  that  week  an 
unrest  and  discontent  unknown  before.  The  touch  of 
a  little  child  had  unconsciously  aroused  something  of 
the  paternal  instinct,  hitherto  dormant,  and  awakened 
a  craving  that  would  not  be  satisfied.  As  yet,  he  had 
not  fully  recognized  it.  He  only  knew,  as  he  had 
confessed  to  Hollingshead,  that  he  could  not  forget  the 
little  one  whom  Fate  had  thrown  in  his  way.  Again 
and  again,  in  the  office,  at  the  mine,  in  the  bank,  he 
had  recalled  the  big  brown  eyes,  smiling  so  bravely 
and  trustingly  into  his  own  ;  had  felt  the  light,  clinging 
pressure  of  the  little  arms  about  his  neck,  and  the 
swift,  sweet  touch  of  the  cool,  dewy  lips  upon  his  own. 

But  it  was  not  until  the  following  Saturday  after- 
noon, when  a  little  white-robed  figure  flew  down  the 
avenue  to  meet  him,  and,  as  he  lifted  her  and  held  her 
to  his  breast,  the  haunting  memories  of  the  week 
again  became  a  reality,  that  Denning  knew  the  truth. 

"Oh,  Mr.  Man,"  she  cooed  in  his  ear.  "I've 
watched  for  you  every  single  day  for  so  many  days, 
and  now  you've  come  ! " 

"  And  are  you  glad  f  "  he  asked. 
7  97 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"  So  glad,"  extending  her  arms  as  far  apart  as  she 
could  reach,  while  the  laughing  brown  eyes  travelling 
from,  tip  to  tip  of  the  outstretched  fingers,  measured 
her  joy  at  his  coming. 

As  he  gently  released  her  at  the  door  of  the  hotel, 
she  said  : 

"My  mamma  would  like  to  see  you  in  the  parlor. 
Shall  I  tell  her  you  will  be  there  ?  " 

li  Certainly  ;  I  will  come  at  once." 

As  quickly  as  possible  he  escaped  from  the  con- 
gratulations showered  upon  him,  on  what  was  termed 
his  " heroism." 

"  There  was  no  heroism  about  it,"  he  replied,  with 
a  touch  of  impatience  ;  "I  simply  acted  on  the  spur 
of  the  moment,  without  even  knowing  what  I  was 
doing.  I  haven't  thought  of  it  since  and  don't  wish 
anything  said  about  it." 

It  was  true  the  incident  itself  had  nearly  passed 
from  his  thoughts ;  only  the  results  remained. 

As  he  entered  the  parlor,  Mrs.  "Wynne  advanced 
toward  him. 

"  Under  the  circumstances,  Mr.  Denning,"  she  said, 
smiling,  "I  hardly  think  an  introduction  necessary. 
(He  recalled  Hollingshead's  words).  "Won't  you  be 
seated?" 

He  bowed  over  the  hand  she  extended  but  seated 
himself  silently,  with  a  slight  feeling  of  irrita- 
tion. He  knew  what  was  coming ;  she  had  a 
burden  of  thanks  to  discharge  and  he  was  to  be 
burdened  with  receiving  it  j  it  was  a  bore,  but  he  was 
helpless. 

"Mr.  Denning,  I  don't  know  which  to  try  to  ex- 
press first,  my  gratitude  for  what  you  have  done,  or 

98 


UNLOCKED  FOR  RESULTS 

my  apology  for  such  seeming  indifference  and  ingrati- 
tude last  Sunday  afternoon  ;  but  really,  I  had  no 
idea  of  what  had  occurred " 

"Pardon  me,  Mrs.  Wynne,  but  there  is  no  need  of 
apology  |  you,  of  course,  could  not  have  known  what 
had  happened,  and  had  you  known,  there  would  have 
been  no  cause  for  gratitude  to  me.  Whatever  I  may 
have  done  was  so  entirely  without  thought  or  plan  on 
my  part,  that  I  deserve  no  more  credit  for  what 
I  did,  than  I  would  have  deserved  blame,  had  I 
failed." 

11  You  cannot  expect  others  to  take  that  view  of  the 
affair,  Mr.  Denning,  least  of  all,  the  mother  of  the 
child.  I  feel  under  great  obligations  to  you." 

11  Really,"  he  smiled,  "I  am  sorry,  I  wish  you 
didn't  j  for  I  have  come  to  ask  a  favor  of  you,  and  if 
you  feel  in  any  way  obligated  to  me,  I  shall  not  feel  at 
liberty  to  make  my  request." 

She  looked  slightly  taken  aback,  but  smiled  in  turn  : 
"  I  am  sure,  Mr.  Denning,  I  should  be  very  glad — 
after  what  you  have " 

He  raised  his  hand  :  "No,  that  won't  do  at  all. 
If  you  grant  the  favor,  it  must  be  to  me,  personally, 
without  any  consideration  of  anything  I  have  done. 
I  was  at  no  cost  or  pains,  and  even  though  I  were, 
your  little  daughter' s  friendship  has  amply  repaid  me. 
But  I  am  going  to  ask,  as  a  special  favor,  Mrs. 
Wynne,  without  reference  to  the  occurrence  of  Sunday 
afternoon,  that  you  will  allow  the  friendship  between 
your  little  daughter  and  myself  to  continue  as  it  has 
begun." 

Denning  understood  the  surprise  which  she  felt,  but 
was  too  well  bred  to  manifest. 

99 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"I  consider  that  very  kind  of  you,  Mr.  Denning. 
I  really  feared  Helen  might  annoy  you,  for  she  has 
formed  the  most  ardent  attachment  for  you  imagin- 
able. She  has  thought  and  talked  of  you  constantly, 
all  the  week." 

Denning  smiled  again:  "I  assure  you,  Mrs. 
"Wynne,  the  attachment  is  mutual.  The  little  one 
has  been  in  my  thoughts  the  past  week,  and  I  was 
very  glad  to  find  to-day  that  she  had  not  forgotten 
me." 

"Forgotten  you!"  she  exclaimed,  with  a  little 
laugh  ;  "  she  not  only  has  not  forgotten  you,  but  she 
will  not  allow  you  to  forget  her  !  That  is  the  child's 
greatest  fault.  She  is  affectionate,  but  so  demonstra- 
tive as  to  be  rather  wearisome  sometimes.  I  have 
tried  to  repress  her,  but  she  is  irrepressible.  She  is  so 
like  her  father;  no  one  would  think  she  was  my 
child." 

Denning,  watching  the  speaker  with  his  quietly 
scrutinizing  gaze,  wondered  if  the  father's  demonstra- 
tiveness  had  proved  "rather  wearisome  sometimes." 
It  seemed  quite  probable.  There  was  no  need  for  her 
to  emphasize  the  child's  unlikeness  to  herself ;  it  was 
patent.  Not  once,  during  their  interview,  had  the 
ivory  pallor  of  her  face  flushed  ever  so  faintly,  even 
when  speaking  of  her  child's  narrow  escape  j  and  the 
exquisitely  modulated  tones  were  equally  devoid  of 
warmth  or  color. 

At  Denning' s  request,  Helen  was  called,  and  the 
two  entered  at  once  into  a  compact,  duly  rati- 
fied by  Mrs.  Wynne,  for  their  mutual  diversion  and 
entertainment  on  his  future  visits  to  the  Springs. 
It  would  have  been  difficult  to  tell  which  was 

100 


UNLOCKED  FOR  RESULTS 

more  interested  in  the  projects  under  consideration, 
the  worldly  wise  man,  or  the  quaintly  wise  little 
maiden. 

Hollingshead's  two  weeks'  stay  in  British  Columbia 
was  prolonged  to  six  weeks.  It  was  midsummer  when 
he  again  found  himself  nearing  what  he  familiarly 
termed  "  the  old  camping  ground." 

As  it  was  the  latter  part  of  the  week,  he  contented 
hiimself,  on  reaching  Henley  with  merely  a  look  at  the 
town  from  the  car  window.  Happening  to  see  the 
janitor  of  the  bank  building  ornamenting  one  of  the 
benches  outside  of  the  station,  he  tossed  him  a 
quarter. 

"  Here,  you  Bob  !  tell  Mr.  Denning  I'm  back  ;  at 
the  Springs.  I'll  see  him  Saturday ." 

' '  Golly,  boss  ! ' '  the  darkey  grinned  as  he  dexterously 
caught  the  quarter,  "Mistah  Denning,  he's  at  the 
Springs  hese'f  j  he's  ober  dar  ebery  two,  three  nights, 
he!  he!  he!" 

"The  deuce,  you  say  !  "  Hollingshead  sank  back 
into  the  seat  in  a  state  bordering  on  a  mental  collapse. 

"Now  what  does  that  mean?"  he  soliloquized; 
"I'd  stake  my  last  dollar  on  Mac,  that  he  isn't  hit ; 
I  don't  believe  the  woman  exists  that  could  make  an 
impression  on  him.  "We  are  two  hardened  old  bach- 
elors, complete  ossification  of  the  heart,  and  Mac's  the 
worse  of  the  two.  If  he  ever  marries  at  all,  it  won't 
be  for  love,  but  for  the  furtherance  of  some  scheme  of 
his  own  ;  and,  by  Jove  !  he  said  when  I  went  away  he 
had  something  new  in  mind.  Well,  well,  if  Mac 
plays  the  fool,  I  don't  see  anything  left  for  yours  truly 
but  to  go  and  do  likewise." 

101 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

By  the  time  Hollingshead  arrived  at  the  Springs, 
the  world  had  assumed  a  neutral,  gray  tint,  in  quite 
marked  contrast  to  the  roseate  hue  which  it  usually 
wore  for  him,  and  though  after  a  bath  and  change  of 
linen  it  had  brightened  perceptibly,  he  was  yet  in  a 
pensive  mood  as  he  left  his  room  and  strolled  down  the 
long  hall.  He  had  a  vague  presentiment  of  coming 
change.  Before  he  went  away  he  had  been  subtly 
conscious  that  he  and  Denning  seemed  drifting  slightly 
apart ;  now  he  felt  as  though  his  old  companion  were 
being  swept  onward  with  the  tide,  while  he  was  left 
stranded  and  alone.  He  was  distinctly  lonely  ;  he  felt 
a  need  for  sympathy,  a  faint,  only  half  acknowledged 
longing  for  a  word  of  welcome  after  his  absence. 

At  that  psychological  moment,  Psyche  suddenly 
dashed  against  his  legs  in  a  wriggling  frenzy  of  delight, 
and  so  abject  was  his  condition  that  he  stooped  and 
gratefully  caressed  the  little  animal.  The  next  mo- 
ment, sympathy  and  welcome  personified  loomed 
before  him,  as  Mrs.  Durant  rounded  the  corner  of  a 
side  passage.  The  meeting  was  unejpected,  but  the 
joy  that  lighted  her  face  was  unmistakable  and  was 
instantly  reflected  in  his  own.  Moreover,  she  wore  an 
exceedingly  becoming  gown. 

"  My  dear  Mr.  Hollingshead,  is  this  really  you  ?  I 
am  so  glad  to  see  you.  Where  have  you  been  all  this 
time  ?  I  have  inquired  for  you  of  Mr.  Denning,  over 
and  over  again.  When  did  you  arrive  ?  " 

"Less  than  an  hour  ago,"  he  smiled,  as  he 
sandwiched  in  a  reply  at  the  first  opportunity. 

"And  are  you  well?  I  thought  when  I  first  saw 
you,  you  had  the  doldrums  ;  you  looked  it." 

"I  believe  I  did  have  a  touch  of  something  of  the 
102 


UNLOCKED  FOR  RESULTS 

kind.    Hadn't  met  a  soul  since  I  got  in,   except  the 
clerk,  and  he  doesn't  count,  you  know." 

11  Of  course  not ;  then  am  I  the  first  to  welcome  you 
back  f  How  fortunate  !  And  you've  been  gone  such 
an  age  !  Come  this  way  ;  there's  an  hour  yet  before 
dinner — Psyche,  dear,  don't  devour  Mr.  Hollingshead. 
There,  isn't  this  delightful,  so  like  old  times  !" 

She  had  led  the  way  to  a  small  balcony  at  the  end 
of  the  hall,  overlooking  the  avenue,  where  they  seated 
themselves.  Hollingshead  gave  a  sigh  of  relief. 

"This  is  immense!  I  say,  you  know,  Mrs. 
Durant,  after  jaunting  about  as  I  have  for  the  last  six 
weeks,  this  seems  quite  like  getting  home." 

' '  How  charming  !  I'  m  sure  the  place  hasn'  t  seemed 
the  same  to  me  with  you  away.  I've  had  absolutely 
no  one  to  talk  to — that  is,  nobody  worth  while — and 
just  when  there  was  so  much  going  on  that  you'd  be 
interested  in  !  You  haven't  met  Mr.  Denning  ?  " 

"No." 

"And,  of  course,  you  haven't  heard  the  news  about 
him  and  Mrs.  "Wynne?" 

"  Mrs.  "Wynne  !     Then  it's  Mrs.  Wynne,  is  it!  " 

1 '  Oh,  then  you  have  heard  something  ?  " 

"  Nothing  definite  ;  only  a  hint  there  was  some- 
thing, I  couldn't  imagine  what.  Do  inform  me  ;  is 
Denning  really  '  hit '  at  last  ? ' ' 

Mrs.  Durant  regarded  him  rather  narrowly  for  an 
instant,  before  she  replied  with  a  gravity  unusual 
with  her. 

' '  Mr.  Denning  will  never  marry  any  woman  for  love ; 
he  is  not  that  sort  of  man,  and  you  and  I  know  it." 

Hollingshead  was  not  a  little  surprised  at  this  echo 
of  his  own  thoughts. 

103 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"  But  how  did  it  come  abont,  anyway?  "  he  asked 
curiously.  "  When  I  went  away  he  did  not  seem 
especially  interested  in  Mrs.  Wynne  ;  he  was  greatly 
taken  with  the  child,  I  remember — after  that  railway 
episode,  you  know." 

"  Yes,  I  know ;  it  is  all  the  result  of  that  railway 
episode,  and  I  suppose  when  Providence,  or  Fate, 
brings  two  people  together,  it  doesn't  matter  whether 
they're  interested  in,  or  suited  to,  each  other.  The 
whole  affair  would  be  ridiculous,  if  it  were  not  pa- 
thetic— or  pathetic,  if  it  were  not  so  ridiculous,  I  don't 
know  which.  You  have  just  stated  the  key  to  the 
whole  situation,  Mr.  Hollingshead  !  Mr.  Denning  is 
infatuated  with  little  Helen — and  the  little  thing  sim- 
ply adores  him — and  he  naturally  would  like  to  adopt 
her  as  his  child.  The  only  obstacle  in  the  way  is  the 
mother ;  but  he  is  not  a  man  to  be  hindered  by 
obstacles,  and  as  the  mother  would  not  be  objection- 
able as  a  wife,  he  will  marry  her  in  order  to  have  the 
child  as  his  own." 

" Impossible!  Why,  Mrs.  Durant,  the  idea  is 
preposterous ;  Denning  wouldn't  be  such  a  fool ! " 

Mrs.  Durant  laughed  softly  :  "My  dear  Mr.  Hol- 
lingshead, until  a  man  marries,  no  one  can  tell  what 
possibilities  he  may  develop  in  that  direction.  I  am 
simply  consumed  with  curiosity  now,"  she  added  sig- 
nificantly, "to  see  what  latent  capacities  along  this 
line  will  unfold  in  your  own  case." 

Her  merriment  was  contagious,  but  Hollingshead 
felt  a  hidden  meaning  lurking  in  her  words,  and  her 
laughing  eyes  confirmed  the  suspicion. 

"But  really,  Mrs.  Durant,  is  there  anything  in  it? 
That  is,  more  than  simple  courtesy,  you  know  t " 

104 


UNLOCKED  FOR  RESULTS 

"  Decidedly  ;  of  late.  At  first,  Mr.  Denning  con- 
fined his  attentions  to  little  Helen ;  brought  her 
candy  and  toys  and  took  her  out  driving,  with  Lena 
on  the  seat  with  the  coachman — it's  a  wonder  they 
haven't  struck  up  a  match,  too, — and  Mrs.  Wynne 
kept  discreetly  out  of  sight,  though  he  was  always 
received  in  her  private  parlor,  you  know.  But  last 
week,  he  began  to  come  oftener,  and  last  Saturday, 
when  he  took  Helen  for  a  drive,  it  was  mamma,  if 
you  please,  not  Lena,  who  accompanied  them.  This 
is  the  second  time  he  has  been  over  this  week,  and  this 
afternoon,  Mr.  Denning  and  Mrs.  "Wynne  have  gone  for 
a  drive,  with  no  coachman  and  no  Helen.  So  it  looks 
like  a  regular  geometrical  progression,  doesn't  itt" 

"  It  looks  that  way,  by  Jove  !"  he  admitted  rather 
gloomily.  "Do  you  suppose,"  he  added  reflectively, 
11  that  she  is  the  sort  of  woman  to  take  advantage  of 
his  infatuation  for  the  child,  to — er — well,  inveigle 
him  into  this  thing  ?  " 

She  looked  steadily  into  his  eyes,  as  she  replied, 
"  Do  you  think  Mr.  Denning  is  the  sort  of  man  to  be 
1  inveigled'  $" 

"No,  he  isn't,"  he  answered,  rather  staggered  by 
the  disclosure  that  her  knowledge  of  Denning  was 
more  correct  than  his  own. 

"'All  the  king's  horses  and  all  the  king's 
men ' "  she  quoted,  with  a  slight  laugh  ;  then  not- 
ing the  gloom  on  his  face,  she  continued  with  a 
seriocomic  air : 

"It  all  comes,  you  see,  of  having  a  lovely  little 
daughter  to  win  her  way  into  people's  affections. 
There  is  no  knowing  what  conquests  I  might  have 
made  under  similar  conditions  ;  but  I  ?  I  have  noth- 

105 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

ing  but  Psyche,  poor  little  dear,  who  is  forever  getting 
under  foot  and  in  the  way,  and  leaving  dust  marks  on 
people's  clothes.  Poor  me  ! " 

She  drew  such  a  tragic  sigh  and  looked  so  pointedly 
at  Hollingshead  that  he  laughed,  though  with  visible 
embarrassment,  but  before  he  could  reply,  she 
exclaimed : 

"  I  hear  them  coming ,  there  they  are  now  !  " 

A  stylish  turnout,  the  two  spirited  bays  driven  tan- 
dem, came  up  the  avenue.  Denning  was  a  fine  reins- 
man  and  Hollingshead  thought  he  had  never  seen  him 
appear  to  better  advantage.  Mrs.  "Wynne  seemed 
totally  unconscious  of  the  throng  of  spectators  watch- 
ing them  from  the  club  house  and  hotel. 

"  They  're  a  well  matched  pair,  aren't  they?" 
Hollingshead  commented. 

"In  appearance,  yes  ;  they  are  a  splendid  looking 
couple." 

When  they  had  passed  around  the  driveway,  out  of 
sight,  Mrs.  Durant  quoted  lightly  : 

"  l  To  him  that  hath  shall  be  given  and  he  shall  have 

more  abundance,  but  from  him  that  hath  not' " 

there  was  a  little  break  in  her  voice  and  she  stopped. 
Hollingshead  turned  quickly,  but  her  face  was  averted. 
She  recovered  herself,  however,  and  continued  : 

11  That  seems  to  be  the  principle  that  governs  life  in 
this  world,  but  I  cannot  see  the  justice  or  fairness  of 
it ;  can  you  ? ' ' 

She  turned  and  found  his  eyes  fixed  on  her  and 
observed,  for  the  first  time,  their  troubled,  almost 
wistful,  look. 

"Mr.  Hollingshead,  forgive  me  for  not  thinking 
before  how  this  might  strike  you.  I  believe  it  has 

106 


UNLOCKED  FOR  RESULTS 

hit  you  rather  hard,  you  and  Mr.  Denning  have  been 
associated  together  so  long,  you  know." 

He  shook  his  head,  -with  an  oddly  pathetic  smile  : 
"Mac  and  I" — unconsciously  using  the  familiar 
name  for  the  first  time  in  her  presence — "  have  been 
chums  for  more  than  fifteen  years ;  but  I  don't  suppose 
that  is  any  reason  for  imagining  that  we  would  con- 
tinue so  for  fifteen  years  to  come.  In  a  haphazard 
world  like  this,  where  the  unexpected  always  happens, 
we  ought  to  be  prepared  for  shocks ;  but  we  seldom 
are." 


107 


XI 

A  CHANCE  MEETING 


DENNING  failed  to  put  in  an  appearance  in  the 
dining  room  that  evening.  The  report,  later,  of  a 
small  dinner  party  in  Mrs.  Wynne's  apartments 
explained  his  absence. 

Among  men  and  women,  at  the  hotel,  the  club 
house,  in  the  billiard  rooms  and  bowling  alleys,  wher- 
ever Hollingshead  went  that  evening,  the  "Denning- 
Wynne  affair"  as  it  was  called,  was  the  subject  of 
comment.  Their  engagement  was  taken  for  granted 
and  the  private  dinner  was  considered  almost  in  the 
light  of  an  announcement. 

The  men  unanimously  spoke  of  it  as  "a  good 
match." 

11  They' re  a  damned  handsome  couple,  and  they've 
got  the  stuff,"  was  Benham's  characteristic  comment. 

"  High-steppers,  both  of  'em  and  well  matched," 
said  Biggs,  the  stockman. 

The  women  were  somewhat  divided  in  their 
opinion 

"It  is  so  sweetly  romantic,"  purred  Mrs.  Gordon, 
"just  like  the  novels  I  like  best.  I  can  hardly  wait 
for  the  next  chapter." 

"Bomantic  fiddlesticks!"  sniffed  another.  "The 
most  consummate  piece  of  art  I  call  it.  Too  cunning  to 
go  after  him  herself,  but  gets  her  little  girl  to  wheedle 

108 


A  CHANCE  MEETING 

up  to  her  apartments  while  she  devotes  herself  to 
her  'invalid  aunt'!  Has  anybody  ever  seen  that 
aunt?  I  believe  she's  nothing  but  a  myth  ! " 

"  Mrs.  Durant,  what  do  you  think  of  it  ?  "  said  one 
of  the  group  appealingly. 

"I?"  said  that  person,  with  a  merry  laugh,  and  a 
glance  at  Hollingshead,  standing  near.  "Oh,  I  call 
it  a  special  dispensation  of  Providence." 

Hollingshead  smiled  and  walked  away,  while 
speaker  dumber  Two  gave  Mrs.  Durant  a  look  which 
said  as  plainly  as  words. 

"  You  are  another  ! " 

Eeturning  to  the  hotel  at  a  late  hour  that  night, 
Hollingshead  stumbled  upon  Denning  as  the  latter 
was  on  his  way  to  the  station  for  the  last  train. 

"Hullo,  Dick!  I  heard  you  got  in  this  evening, 
and  was  sorry  I  couldn't  see  you  at  dinner.  I  was 
engaged,  but  got  away  as  quick  as  I  could,  but  you 
were  gone  and  I  couldn't  find  you.  How  are  you, 
old  boy  ?  And  how  did  the  trip  pan  out  ?  " 

"  Fine  !  Took  considerably  longer  than  I  expected, 
but  it  paid  well." 

"  I  didn't  think  you  were  staying  up  there  for  noth- 
ing. Coming  over  to  Henley  to-morrow,  Dick?" 

"  Why,  no  ;  I  hadn't  intended  to.  Thought  Td 
rest  up  to-morrow." 

"  I  know  ;  but  run  over  for  an  hour  or  so,  if  you 
can.  I  haven't  time  to  go  into  details  now,  but 
you'll  remember  I  told  you  when  you  went  away  that 
I  was  making  new  plans  but  wasn't  ready  then  to 
say  definitely  what  they  were.  I  had  no  idea,  of 
course,  you  would  be  gone  so  long,  or  I  might  have 
been  more  specific.  Well,  I  have  an  important  en- 

109 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

gagement  for  to-morrow  night — some  final  matters  to 
adjust — but  I  want  to  see  you  first." 

"  Very  well,  make  it  any  time  that  suits  you." 

"Well,  say  two  o'clock;  or,  I'll  tell  you,  Dick, 
meet  me  at  the  Bon  Ton  at  one-fifteen  for  lunch,  and 
we'll  go  from  there  to  the  office." 

"  All  right,  Mac ;  I'll  be  on  hand." 

Both  men  started  onward  as  though  the  interview 
were  closed  ;  then  stopped  and  simultaneously  turned, 
facing  each  other,  though,  for  an  instant,  neither 
spoke.  The  ray  of  a  distant  arc  light  fell  on  Den- 
ning's  face,  revealing  it  clearly  to  Hollingshead,  his 
own  being  in  the  shadow. 

"I  say,  old  man  ;  is  there  any  connection  between 
these  new  plans  you  spoke  of  six  weeks  ago  and  the 
rumors  afloat  here  to-day  f  " 

Denning  waited  an  instant :  ' l  No,  and  yes.  There 
was  no  connection  at  that  time.  My  plans  had 
then  no  relation  whatever  to — er — later  events.  But 
the  latter  are  included  in  the  plans  at  present." 

11  There  is  truth  in  the  rumors,  then  ?  " 

Unconsciously,  there  was  in  Hollingshead' s  tone  the 
desperate  energy  which  one  summons  to  his  aid  in  de- 
manding from  a  physician  the  truth  regarding  a  case 
which  is  past  hope. 

"  Yes.  That  is  one  thing  I  want  to  go  over  with  you 
to-morrow,  before  any  public  announcement  is  made." 

There  was  nothing,  either  in  Denning' s  face  or  tones, 
to  indicate  that  he  was  speaking  of  anything  more 
than  ordinary  business.  Hollingshead  involuntarily 
took  a  step  nearer. 

"  I  suppose  then,  old  man,  congratulations  are  in 
order,  aren't  they  ?  " 

110 


A  CHANCE  MEETING 

Then  Denning  smiled ;  a  peculiar  smile,  in  which 
mockery  and  bitterness,  contending  with  a  sort  of 
fierce  pride,  mingled  with  the  old-time  friendliness 
and  comradeship. 

"No  need  for  anything  of  that  sort  between  us, 
Dick  ;  we  understand  each  other  too  well.  There'll 
be  enough  of  it  from  the  '  crowd '  over  there  when 
they  get  hold  of  it," — he  glanced  contemptuously  to- 
ward the  hotel — ' '  but  you  and  I  can  be  frank  with  each 
other.  I  know  I  can  trust  you,  old  boy,  every  time, 
and  that's  better  than  all  the  hollow  l  congratulations ' 
of  society.  Good  night.  See  you  to-morrow." 

Deeply  puzzled,  but  glad  that  his  old  chum  had 
not,  under  the  new  order  of  things,  thrown  him  over, 
Hollingshead  went  on  his  way. 


ill 


XII 

AN  EXPLANATION 


"I'VE  been  planning  a  change  of  base  for  some 
time  ;  in  fact,  for  over  a  year." 

Denning  and  Hollingshead,  locked  within  the 
former's  private  office,  had  been  silently  smoking  for 
some  ten  minntes  when  Denning  suddenly  made  the 
above  announcement.  Then  swinging  himself  about 
in  the  swivel  chair  to  a  position  facing  his  friend,  he 
tipped  back  at  a  comfortable  angle  and  continued  : 

"The  fact  is,  Dick,  I  want  to  get  out  of  the 
mining  business. ' ' 

Hollingshead' s  face  showed  surprise,  but  he  only 
nodded. 

"The  mine  now  will  practically  run  itself  under 
the  supervision  of  a  man  that  understands  the  busi- 
ness and  yield  good,  plump  dividends  for  ten  or  twenty 
years  to  come.  So  there's  no  need  of  my  being 
tied  down  to  that  any  longer.  I  think  I  told  you, 
years  ago,  Dick,  that  I  came  from  a  long  line  of 
bankers  and  brokers.  Somehow  it  runs  in  the  blood 
and  develops  in  every  one  of  us,  sooner  or  later.  I 
started  the  bank  here  as  a  sort  of  experiment,  to  see 
if  I  had  the  family  instinct.  The  results  have  been 
eminently  satisfactory  to  me — and  to  some  others  as 
well,  it  seems — so,  naturally,  I  have  felt  that  I  was 
done  with  experimenting  and  ready  to  take  up  the 

112 


AN  EXPLANATION 

real   thing   whenever   I  had   the    opportunity.     Six 
weeks  ago  the  opportunity  presented  itself." 

Hollingshead  dropped  eagerly  forward  to  listen,  the 
cigar  between  his  fingers  unheeded. 

"  You  may  have  seen  in  the  papers  lately  occasional 
mention  of  a  new  bank  to  be  organized  in  Eockland, 
to  supersede  the  two  that  suspended  payment  two  or 
three  years  ago  ?  " 

"  I  have  seen  something  of  the  kind,  but  I  paid  no 
special  attention  to  it,  so  I  don't  recall  it  very 
definitely." 

11  The  organization  is  to  be  completed  this  coming 
fall,  and  it  is  practically  in  the  hands  of  Eigby,  the 
receiver  for  the  defaulted  banks." 

"Is  that  the  Eigby  that  was  at  the  Springs  the 
Sunday  before  I  went  away?" 

"  The  same." 

"Oh,  I  see!"  Hollingshead  exclaimed,  a  new 
light  breaking  in  upon  him:  "You  and  he  were 
hobnobbing  all  day,  I  remember." 

"And  as  the  result  of  our  hobnobbing,  when  the  new 
North  "Western  National,  of  Eockland,  opens  its  doors 
for  business,  yours  truly  will  head  its  list  of  officials." 

"  What !  as  president  ?  " 

"  As  president." 

"  Good  !  by  Jove  !  Shake,  old  man  ;  I  congratulate 
you  !" 

They  shook  hands  heartily. 

"And  you  say,"  said  Hollingshead,  after  a  dis- 
cussion of  details  regarding  the  new  bank, — "you 
say  it  is  to  open  up  January  first  f  " 

"Yes." 

"That  lets  you  out  of  here — when!" 
8  113 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Denning  hesitated  :  "  Well,  I  had  thought  to  stay 
here — with  the  exception  of  two  or  three  trips  to 
Rockland — until  toward  the  last  of  December,  but 
recent  events  have  necessitated  a  change." 

He  paused  an  instant,  then  added  :  ' '  My  marriage 
is  to  be  the  first  week  in  October." 

For  a  moment  or  two,  neither  spoke,  and  it  seemed 
to  Hollingshead  as  though  a  dead  weight  had  fallen 
upon  them  both.  Once  or  twice  he  essayed  to  speak, 
but  the  words  would  not  come.  Finally,  with  a  touch 
of  desperation,  he  exclaimed  : 

"By  Jove,  Mac  !  Somehow  I  can't  think  of  you 
as  a  married  man." 

Denning  smiled  constrainedly  :  "I  don't  mind  ad- 
mitting to  you,  Dick,  that  the  step  is  rather 
unpremeditated. ' ' 

He  stopped  and  flicked  the  ashes  from  his  cigar  as 
though  uncertain  how  best  to  proceed. 

"I  suppose,  though,  it  may  as  well  be  now  as 
any  time.  I  expect  to  stick  to  banking  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  and  when  I  quit  it,  it  will  be  for  poli- 
tics." 

"The  deuce,  you  say!"  Hollingshead  was  not 
only  surprised,  but  he  failed  to  see  the  connection 
between  politics  and  matrimony. 

"I  suppose  that  is  in  the  blood,  too,"  Denning 
continued;  "my  grandfather  was  an  M.  P., — very 
likely  my  father  is  by  this  time — and  I  may  as  well 
tell  you,  Dick,  that  I  intend,  before  I  am  twenty 
years  older,  to  be  in  Congress  myself.  I  believe  I 
have  the  qualifications  for  success  and  there's  no 
reason  why,  when  the  right  time  comes,  I  shouldn't  go 
in  and  win." 

114 


AN  EXPLANATION 

"Gad!  I  believe  you  would  win,  too  !"  muttered 
Hollingshead,  his  face  glowing  with  enthusiasm. 

* '  In  this  connection,  I  had,  in  a  general  way,  con- 
templated marriage  sometime  in  the  future, — you 
know,  in  our  country,  the  right  sort  of  wife  sometimes 
goes  a  long  way  toward  winning  in  politics  and 
always  adds  to  the  prestige  of  the  winner — but,  as  I 
say,  a  marriage  in  the  near  future  was,  until  recently, 
entirely  unpremeditated.  At  the  same  time,  I  doubt 
if,  after  years  of  waiting,  I  could  make  a  better  selec- 
tion. The  lady  herself  is  eminently  fitted  to  grace  an 
establishment,  whether  west  or  east ;  in  Washington, 
or  New  York — or  abroad." 

But  Hollingshead  was  thinking  less  of  Mrs.  Wynne's 
qualifications  than  of  a  conviction  slowly  forcing  itself 
upon  his  consciousness. 

' i  Did  you  have  anything  of  this  kind  in  mind  when 
I  went  away  ?  "  he  asked. 

"Not  a  thought  of  it.  Frankly,  Dick,  it  never 
occurred  to  me  till  within  the  last  two  weeks." 

11  It  isn't  like  you,  Mac,  to  decide  a  thing  in  that 
off-hand  fashion." 

There  was  a  pause  ;  then,  flinging  away  his  cigar, 
Denning  said,  "  I  can  trust  you,  Dick,  that  it  will  go 
no  farther.  You  remember  my  telling  you  of  the 
effect  that  little  child  had  on  me  from  the  first  ?  Well, 
I  can't  explain  it,  but  that  child  has  got  a  hold  on  me 
that  I  can't  break.  I  don't  like  children,  as  a  rule, 
but  she's  not  like  other  children  ,•  she  hasn't  their 
usual  disagreeable  traits.  And  affectionate?  She 
thinks  more  of  me  than  of  all  the  world  besides,  her 
mother  included  :  never  obtrusive  or  in  the  way,  but 
perfectly  happy  when  she  can  be  with  me.  I've  got 

115 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

so  that  I  look  forward  to  the  pleasure  of  seeing  her 
come  down  that  avenue  to  meet  me,  I  wouldn't  miss 
it  for  a  good  deal.  Well,  about  two  weeks  ago,  Helen 
told  me  that  she  and  her  mother  were  going  away 
before  long.  Man,  alive !  I  didn't  know  till  then 
what  a  hold  the  child  had  on  me  !  Let  that  little 
creature  go  out  of  my  life  I  Never,  if  I  could  prevent 
it !  'Pon  my  soul,  Dick,  I  didn't  sleep  much  that 
night ;  but  when  morning  came,  my  mind  was  made 
up  and  my  plans  laid  accordingly  and — you  know 
the  result." 

Hollingshead  stared  at  Denning  incredulously. 
Mrs.  Durant's  words  had  flashed  into  his  mind. 

"Mac,  old  man,"  he  exclaimed  slowly,  "you 
don't  mean  to  tell  me  that  you  are  going  to  marry 
Mrs.  "Wynne  solely  for  the  sake  of  her  child  ! " 

Denning  moved  impatiently:  "I  said  a  few  min- 
utes ago,  Dick,  that  Mrs.  "Wynne  is  in  every  way 
fitted  to  be  the  wife  I  should  want.  She  is  the  sort  of 
woman  I  intended  to  marry,  sooner  or  later.  Is  there 
anything  to  deter  me  from  making  my  choice  now,  in- 
stead of  five  or  ten  years  hence  ?  Surely,  the  fact  that 
her  child  is  already  fond  of  me,  is  an  argument  in 
favor  of  the  proposition,  not  against  it.  And,  really, 
— I  have  looked  at  the  matter  from  all  sides — I  think 
you  will  agree  with  me  that  this  is  the  most  opportune 
time  for  such  a  marriage.  I  am  about  to  make  a  com- 
plete change  in  business,  going  to  a  large,  growing 
city,  and  to  enter  upon  my  life  there  as  a  married 
man,  a  man  of  a  family, — for  I  shall  adopt  Helen  as 
my  own  and  no  one  there  need  know  to  the  contrary — 
will  be  more  to  my  advantage  socially,  than  to 
continue  the  single  life  I  have  led  here." 

116 


AN  EXPLANATION 

Hollingshead  nodded  doubtfully,  but  made  no  reply. 
Denning' s  sophistry  had,  in  a  measure,  relieved  the 
glaring  baldness  of  the  situation.  At  the  same  time 
there  was  brought  home  to  him  as  never  before,  the 
force  of  Mrs.  Durant's  mocking  appellation, — "a 
sublime  egoist ! " 

Denning  laughed,  laying  his  hand  on  the  other's 
knee:  "I  see,  Dick,  this  doesn't  quite  go  down 
with  you  ;  but,  old  fellow,  you  and  I  have  got  beyond 
the  sentimental  point ;  at  least,  I  have.  The  time  is 
past  for  me  to  think  of  marrying  for  love — if  ever 
there  was  such  a  time,  which  I  doubt,"  he  added 
gloomily. 

"Well,  Mac."  said  the  other  slowly,  "I  wish 
you  happiness  ;  with  all  my  heart,  I  do." 

"Happiness!"  repeated  Denning,  "I  shall  be 
happy  in  the  successes  I  am  to  win ;  that  is  all  the 
happiness  I  expect,  or  want." 

Then,  with  a  sudden  change  of  manner,  he  added. 
"  But  all  this  is  a  digression.  I  was  talking  business 
until  I  sidetracked  onto  this  affair.  Where  was  I  ?  " 

"I  think,"  said  Hollingshead,  smiling,  "you  were 
speaking  of  the  date  of  closing  up  here,  when  you — 
digressed." 

"  Yes  ;  well,  it  looks  now  as  though  I  would  have 
to  wind  things  up  here  toward  the  last  of  September ; 
that  is,  in  about  eight  or  nine  weeks." 

He  passed  the  cigars  to  Hollingshead,  taking  one 
himself  which  he  prepared  to  light. 

"I  believe,  Dick,  I  told  you  the  morning  you  went 
away,  that  my  new  plans  included  a  place  for  you  !  " 

Hollingshead  opened  his  eyes  in  amazement. 

"  Nonsense,  Mac ;  that  was  all  in  joke." 
117 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

11  On  your  part,  perhaps ;  but  not  on  mine.  Dick, 
would  any  consideration  tempt  you  to  settle  down  in 
Henley  for  a  few  years  f ' ' 

"I  don't  know  that  I've  any  objection  to  Henley. 
I've  made  it  my  headquarters  for  the  last  three 
years." 

"Well,  what  I  meant  by  that  was,  to  give  up  this 
experting  business  for  a  steady  position." 

"  I  might,  if  the  position  was  all  right.  This  ex- 
pert work  is  pretty  hard  on  a  fellow  sometimes  ;  this 
last  trip  was  a  rough  one,  by  Jove  !  a  terror  ! " 

"  How  about  the  supervision  of  the  Bonnibel  and 
looking  after  my  city  property  here,  at  twenty-five 
thousand  a  year  ? ' ' 

11  Do  you  mean  it,  Mac! " 

"I've  said  it  and  I  mean  it.  It's  up  to  you,  Dick, 
now." 

"  It's  a  go,  then,  old  man  ;  and  I'm  much  obliged  to 
you  for  thinking  of  me.  The  best  part  of  it,"  he 
added,  as  they  again  shook  hands,  "is,  that  this  will 
keep  us  in  touch  with  one  another,  for  a  while, 
anyway. ' ' 

"No  reason,  because  I'm  going  to  Rockland,  that 
we  shouldn't  keep  in  touch,  same  as  ever." 

"How  about  the  other  proposition,  Mac!  Won't 
that  make  any  difference  ?  " 

"My  marriage?  That's  merely  an  incident,  be- 
tween us  two,  a  side  issue.  Now,  let's  to  business 
and  straighten  out  these  matters  before  those  fellows 
get  here." 


118 


XIII 

A  WOMAN'S  PREDICTION 


NOT  until  the  following  September  was  it  generally 
known  that  Denning  was  to  leave  Henley.  With  the 
looked-for  news  of  his  rapidly  approaching  wedding, 
came  the  unexpected  announcement  of  his  intention  to 
make  his  future  home  in  another  State,  together  with 
rumors  of  his  connection  with  the  prospective  North 
Western  bank.  The  news  caused  no  little  stir  in  and 
around  Henley  and  the  following  days  found  Denning' s 
offices  thronged  with  acquaintances,  inquiring,  con- 
gratulating, protesting.  Even  then,  it  was  not  known 
who  would  have  charge  of  his  local  interests  after  his 
departure,  and  to  the  other  crowd  was  added  a  long 
line  of  applicants  for  the  position. 

It  was  nearly  midnight  the  following  Saturday  when 
Hollingshead  reached  the  Springs.  He  was  alone,  for 
since  Mrs.  Wynne's  departure  soon  after  the  announce- 
ment of  their  engagement,  Denning  seldom  left  Hen- 
ley. He  was  tired,  for  he  had  spent  the  week  famil- 
iarizing himself  with  the  work  he  was  soon  to  assume 
and  assisting  Denning  in  his  preparations  for  leaving. 
He  was  depressed  ;  the  pleasurable  excitement  of  the 
last  few  days  had  been  followed  by  a  reaction.  He  felt 
keenly  the  coming  change  in  Denning' s  life  and  the 
personal  loss  it  would  mean  to  himself.  They  had  been 
so  closely  affiliated  for  years  that  the  association  could 

119 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

not  be  suddenly  broken  off  without  a  wrench  to  one  or 
the  other,  and  Hollingshead,  not  Denning,  was  the  one 
to  suffer.  He  felt  they  would  have  little  more  in  com- 
mon and  the  bond  between  them  must,  of  necessity, 
be  weakened, — perhaps,  eventually,  broken. 

His  depression  had  not  entirely  passed  when  he  awoke 
at  a  late  hour  Sunday  morning.  He  brooded  in  soli- 
tude until  after  dinner ;  then,  led  by  an  impulse  he 
could  scarcely  have  explained  even  to  himself  and 
which  he  did  not  stop  to  analyze,  he  went  in  search  of 
Mrs.  Durant. 

Of  late,  he  had  found  her  society  distinctly  pleasing. 
In  her  unvarying  cheerfulness  his  gloom  invariably 
was  dissipated  like  mist  before  the  sun,  and  beneath 
the  froth  and  foam  of  her  light  chatter  and  nonsense  he 
had  discovered  a  deep,  strong  undercurrent  of  sympa- 
thy and  true  womanly  feeling.  He  had  come  to  have 
a  genuine  respect  for  her  opinions,  which,  however 
startling  they  might  seem  at  first  sight,  never  failed  of 
confirmation,  either  by  the  facts  as  they  developed,  or 
by  his  own  judgment  later. 

He  found  her  in  a  vine-covered  corner  of  the 
veranda,  having  been  guided  thither  by  an  ecstatic 
little  yelp  from  Psyche,  who  had  recognized  him  at  a 
distance. 

"  Am  I  intruding?  "  he  asked,  noting  the  magazine 
which  she  flung  aside  as  she  rose  to  greet  him. 

11  On  the  contrary,  your  coming  is  very  opportune," 
she  replied,  with  a  laughing  glance  in  its  direction ; 
11  I'd  just  got  to  where  the  prince,  in  disguise  and  with 
a  price  upon  his  head,  is  surrounded  by  enemies  and 
carried  off,  while  the  beautiful  maiden  who  has  told 
him  she  is  a  princess  and  has  promised  to  save  him,  is 

120 


A  WOMAN'S  PREDICTION 

discovered  to  be  a  fraud, — only  to  find  that  it's  'to  be 
continued.'  Fancy  leaving  them  in  such  a  predica- 
ment a  whole  month  ! " 

11 1  should  think  the  author  would  need  a  month  in 
which  to  extricate  them  from  their  difficulties." 

"Well,  it's  against  my  principles  to  begin  a  serial 
story  unless  I  can  finish  it.  I  usually  wait  till  it's 
completed  and  then  get  all  the  numbers  and  read  them. 
Then  I  feel  as  though  F  d  got  even  with  the  author 
and  the  publisher  and  the  whole  outfit." 

11  Come  to  think  of  it,  our  lives  are  a  sort  of  serial, 
aren't  they,  a  chapter  a  day  ?  " 

"And  we  have  to  read  the  chapters  as  they  come, 
and  no  skipping,  whether  we  will  or  not.  Do  you  ever 
want  to  '  look  ahead. '  and  see  what's  coming  f  " 

"  I  never  had  much  desire  to.  There  are  some,  how- 
ever,— like  Denning,  for  instance — who  seem,  in  a  way, 
to  take  their  future  in  their  own  hands  and  make  of  it 
about  what  they  choose." 

"Yes,  some  are  so  situated  they  can  steer  their 
course  through  life  to  suit  themselves,  and  some  of  us 
have  to  drift  with  the  tide.  I  hear  Mr.  Denning  is 
going  to  leave  Henley  ? " 

"Yes,  within  the  month." 

"Is  it  true,  as  rumored,  that  he  is  to  be  associated 
with  the  new  bank  in  Eockland  ?  " 

"It  is,  Mrs.  Durant  He  is  to  be  president  of  the 
NorthWestern." 

"  But  what  is  to  become  of  all  his  business  interests 
here ;  his  mine  and  railroads  and  houses?  " 

"He  will  employ  some  one  to  look  after  them," 
Hollingshead  replied  ;  he  was  not  yet  ready  to  tell  her 
of  his  place  in  the  new  order  of  affairs.  "  There  has 

121 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

been  a  crowd  of  applicants  for  the  place  hanging  about 
the  office  for  the  last  two  or  three  days.  Some  of  them 
looked  as  though  they  jolly  well  needed  it,  too,  poor 
fellows !" 

"  Probably  whoever  gets  the  place  will  be  the  one 
that  needs  it  least,"  she  commented. 

"  Likely  enough,"  he  replied,  with  a  faint  smile. 

"Rockland  will  suit  Mrs.  "Wynne  far  better  than 
Henley,"  said  Mrs.  Durant  musingly  ;  "  I  had  doubted 
whether  she  would  consent  to  make  Henley  her  home. 
I  wonder  if  Mr.  Denning  is  making  this  change  on  her 
account?" 

"Not  at  all.  It  was  decided  upon  before  he  ever 
met  her.  But  why,"  he  continued  curiously,  "  should 
Mrs.  Wynne  object  to  Henley?  Wouldn't  you  be 
willing  to  live  there,  Mrs.  Durant?" 

"Mrs.  Wynne  and  I  move  on  entirely  differ- 
ent planes.  I  couldn't  afford  to  be  as  fastidious 
in  my  tastes  as  she ;  but  I  think  it  would  require 
rather  a  weighty  inducement  to  lead  me  to  remain 
there  for  any  length  of  time  ;  it  is  so  new  and  crude, 
don't  you  know.  I  hear  the  wedding  is  to  be  very 
soon." 

"Early  in  October.  I  received  the  cards  yester- 
day. It  is  to  be  a  private  affair,  you  know,  only  a  few 
of  Mrs.  Wynne's  friends  present,  but  Mac  insisted 
upon  my  being  best  man." 

"Of  course  he  would  want  you  ;  and  who  is  to  be 
bridesmaid?" 

' '  There  will  be  none.  Mrs.  Wynne  refused  to  have 
any,  but  little  Helen  is  to  be  flower-girl — Mac  insisted 
on  that,  too  ;  so  she  will  strew  their  path  with  flowers 
as  they  leave  the  altar.  Pretty  idea,  isn't  it? " 

122 


A  WOMAN'S  PREDICTION 

"Very;  I  wouldn't  have  thought  Mr.  Denning 
capable  of  that  much  sentiment." 

"  Oh,  he  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  sentiment  of 
the  thing,  but  he  wanted  the  child  to  have  some  part 
in  the  ceremony,  so  it  is  to  be  arranged  that  way." 

"Bather  symbolical,  don't  you  think?"  Mrs. 
Durant  commented,  with  a  significant  glance.  ' l  But 
I'm  afraid  the  dear  child  will  have  more  than  she  can 
do  to  keep  their  path  strewn  with  flowers  through  the 
years  to  come." 

"Well,  I  don't  know.  Of  course,  between  you  and 
me,  it  isn't  what  would  be  called  a  love-match  ; "  he 
smiled  whimsically  ;  l  i  take  two  old  bachelors  like  us 
and  they've  generally  got  beyond  that  stage  of  the 
game — though  there  may  be  exceptions.  But  I  begin 
to  think,"  he  added  slowly,  "that  they  are  pretty 
evenly  matched  and  they'll  make  the  race  about  neck 
and  neck." 

She  smiled  at  his  simile  :  1 1  They  might  but  for  one 
reason  :  Mr.  Denning  is  handicapped." 

"Denning  handicapped!"  he  exclaimed.  "Howt 
In  what  respect  ?  " 

"  Did  it  never  occur  to  you  that  Mr.  Denning  is  a 
man  with  a  l  past '  ?  " 

Mrs.  Durant,  watching  Hollingshead,  saw  a  scarcely 
perceptible  quiver  of  the  eyelids,  but  that  was  all. 

"  I  think  I  would  characterize  him  as  a  man  with  a 
future,"  he  answered  lightly. 

"Undoubtedly,  Mr.  Hollingshead;  but  he  has  a 
past  as  well,  and  that  is  a  dangerous  possession  with  a 
wife  like  Mrs.  Wynne." 

In  thought,  Hollingshead  had  gone  back  to  the 
night  in  Shasta,  when  he  had  discovered  the  existence 

123 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

of  a  secret  in  Denning' s  life.  Not  a  word  had  ever 
passed  between  them  regarding  what  occurred  that 
night,  bnt  he  had  never  forgotten  Denning' s  look,  or 
his  words,  on  that  occasion. 

' '  If  there  is  any  secret  in  Mac's  life, ' '  he  said  slowly, 
"I  have  no  idea  what  it  is.  He  sowed  his  wild  oats, 
of  course,  with  the  rest  of  us,  but  that  was  years  ago. 
I  don't  see  what  they  would  have  to  do  with  the  case 
now,  do  you?" 

"  As  I  said  before,  Mr.  Hollingshead,  Mrs.  "Wynne 
and  I  move  on  altogether  different  planes ;  so  naturally 
our  views  and  opinions  would  differ." 

"So  far  as  my  experience  goes,  it's  no  use  to  judge 
any  woman  by  another  woman  ;  each  one  seems  to  be 
a  law  unto  herself,  and  one  never  knows  what  to 
expect  from  any  of  them.  But  really  now,  Mrs.  Du- 
rant,"  he  continued,  with  peculiar  insistence,  u  if  you 
had  a  husband  who  provided  a  good  home  and  all  that, 
and  laid  himself  out  to  please  you — was  devoted  to  you 
and  your  happiness,  you  know — would  you  throw  him 
over  for  some  little  peccadillo  or  indiscretion  that 
happened  years  before? " 

It  struck  Mrs.  Durant  that  the  supposed  case  was 
not  exactly  parallel  with  the  one  under  consideration, 
but  she  only  answered  in  a  low  tone  : 

"What  I  would,  or  wouldn't  do,  would  be  no  cri- 
terion, Mr.  Hollingshead,  for  I  don't  believe  I'm  like 
other  women,  and  my  life  certainly  has  not  been  like 
any  other's  I  ever  knew." 

"But — er — don't  you  know,"  he  protested,  with 
evident  embarrassment,  ' '  what  you  would  do  is  what 
I  want  to  know." 

"I  can  only  answer  from  past  experience,"  she  re- 
124 


A  WOMAN'S  PREDICTION 

plied  slowly,  with  eyes  averted,  a  slight  tremor  in  her 
voice  j  "  and  that  doesn't  fit  the  case  you  suppose,  at 
all.  My  husband  made  my  life  wretched,  but  his  own 
was  so  wretched,  I  could  forgive  everything  except 
his  deceiving  me  at  the  first."  She  paused  a  moment, 
then  continued  in  steadier  tones  : 

"I  was  nothing  but  a  child,  a  romantic,  foolish 
child,  when  he  married  me.  He  was  twenty  years  my 
senior,  intensely  selfish  and — a  drug  JiaMtuS.  He  was 
addicted  to  the  morphia  habit.  I  knew  nothing  of  it 
when  we  were  married, — not  until  two  years  afterward. 
Then,  for  three  years  I  helped  him  conceal  the  truth 
from  others,  as  he  had  from  me.  I  don't  know  which 
was  the  worse  suffering  ;  the  two  years  of  what  seemed 
love,  of  a  certain  sort,  alternating  with  neglect  and 
abuse,  or  the  three  years  of  hidden,  secret  shame  and 
of  being  obliged  to  live  a  lie.  After  that,  it  was  no 
use,  and  then  came  two  years  of  open  disgrace  and 
shame,  besides  the  abuse.  But  I  staid  by  him — partly 
because  I  didn't  know  what  else  to  do,  partly  because 
I  cared  for  him  still,  for  what  he  had  been,  or  what  I 
had  imagined  him  to  be— until  my  life  was  in  danger  ; 
then  I  had  to  leave  him.  That  was  three  years  ago, 
but  I  didn't  apply  for  a  divorce  even  then,  though  my 
friends  advised  it.  No,"  she  said  in  reply  to  Hollings- 
head's  look  of  surprise,  "  I  didn't  and  I  was  very  glad 
afterward.  A  little  more  than  a  year  ago,  he  met  with 
a  fatal  accident.  At  the  last — when  he  was  in  the 
hospital — he  remembered  me  and  begged  incessantly 
for  me.  They  sent  for  me — and  I  went  to  him — I  was 
so  glad  that  I  could  go " 

She  stopped,  and  picking  up  Psyche,  buried  her  face 
in  the  little  creature's  silky  coat. 

125 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Hollingshead  unconsciously  leaned  toward  her, 
though  he  did  not  touch  her,  and  she,  without  looking 
up,  felt  the  magnetic  force  of  his  personality. 

11 1  beg  your  pardon,  Mrs.  Durant,"  he  said,  his 
usually  brusque  tones  strangely  softened;  "I  am 
very  sorry  my  question  has  called  up  such  unhappy 
memories.  No  one  would  think  it  from  your 
appearance ' ' 

"No,"  she  interposed,  laughing  nervously,  as  she 
lifted  a  flushed  face  and  shining  eyes  to  meet  his  glance, 
"I  don't,  like  Mr.  Denning,  make  the  secrets  of  my 
life  so  conspicuous  by  bolts  and  bars  as  to  advertise 
them ;  I  simply  cover  them  with  so  much  rubbish  and 
chaff,  no  one  suspects  their  existence.  I  know  I  am 
dreadfully  silly  and  nonsensical,  but  it's  a  habit  I  got 
into  in  the  days  when  I  tried  to  make  myself  and 
others  believe  that  I  didn't  mind,  don't  you  know? 
I  didn't  intend  to  tell  you  all  this.  I  was  trying  to 
answer  your  supposition,  but  it  was  so  different  from 
anything  in  my  experience,  I  guess  it's  no  answer  after 
all." 

11 1  think  you  have  answered  it  fully,"  Hollingshead 
replied.  He  was  close  to  her  now,  his  arm  over  the 
back  of  the  seat. 

"My  past,"  he  continued  in  a  low  tone,  "has  been 
neither  better  nor  worse  than  other  men's ;  but  I 
wouldn't  be  afraid  to  trust  my  future  in  your  hands — 
if  you  cared  for  me." 

She  remained  silent.  His  arm  slipped  from  the  set- 
tee and  encircled  her  waist,  drawing  her  closer  to  him, 
while  he  raised  her  face  towards  his  own  until  their 
eyes  met. 

"Can  you  say  as  much?"  he  asked.     "Will  you 

126 


A  WOMAN'S  PREDICTION 

trust  your  future  in  my  hands,  knowing  that  I  care 
for  you  ? ' ' 

"Yes." 

He  was  not  inclined  to  be  demonstrative  and  she  was 
too  wise  to  be,  but  each  seemed  satisfied.  His  arm 
remained  about  her  and  his  hand  covered  hers  as  it 
rested  on  Psyche's  head  and  neck. 

There  was  silence  for  a  while  j  then  as  naturally  as 
though  their  engagement  were  of  long  standing,  he  be- 
gan to  plan  their  future.  After  a  while  he  remarked 
musingly  : 

"I  don't  see  how  we're  going  to  arrange  about  a 
home,  you  and  I.  I  will  have  to  be  in  Henley  for  the 
next  few  years,  but  I  can't  expect  you  to  join  me  there 
since  you  don't  like  the  place." 

11  But  why  need  you  remain  there  ?  "  she  inquired. 
"You  have  no  local  interests  ;  wouldn't  any  other  town 
do  as  well?" 

"  Not  for  my  present  business,"  he  replied,  smiling 
and  enjoying  her  look  of  perplexity. 

"  Mac  has  put  me  in  charge  of  his  interests  here,"  he 
added  ;  "  you  know  you  said  a  while  ago  that  some  one 
who  didn't  need  it  would  probably  get  the  position." 

"  You  ?    How  delightful !     For  how  long  ? ' ' 

"There  was  no  time  limit,  I  believe.  So  long,  I 
suppose,  as  he  has  interests  here,  or  I  want  the  place. 
But,  as  I  say,  I  don't  know  what  we'll  do  for  a  home, 
so  long  as  you  won't  live  in  Henley." 

"I  didn't  say  unconditionally  that  I  wouldn't.  I 
said  it  would  require  a  weighty  inducement  for  me  to 
make  my  home  there." 

"I  wonder,"  he  said  reflectively,  " how  weighty  the 
inducement  would  need  to  be." 

127 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"About  two  hundred  avoirdupois,  I  think,"  she 
replied,  smiling. 

Later,  as  they  stood  watching  the  sun  sink  between 
two  peaks  not  far  distant,  Hollingshead  was  saying  : 

11  Yes,  I'll  miss  Denning  in  a  way  j  we've  been  asso- 
ciated together  so  long.  It  isn't  the  mere  fact  of  his 
going  away  ;  he  might  have  gone  half  way  round  the 
globe  and  it  wouldn't  have  separated  us  like  this  mar- 
riage of  his.  But,"  he  added,  his  eyes  meeting  hers 
with  a  sudden  light  in  them  that  thrilled  her  with  hap- 
piness, "Mac  can  go  his  way  and  I'll  go  mine;  I 
wouldn't  exchange  places  with  him  to-day." 

"I'm  glad  of  one  thing,  Dick,"  she  said,  coming 
nearer  and  using  his  name  for  the  first  time,  "  if  you 
marry  me,  it  will  be  for  my  own  sake,  not  for " 

"Not  for  the  sake  of  getting  Psyche,"  he  finished 
the  sentence,  making  her  laugh  by  its  absurdity. 

"I  suppose,  however,"  he  added  a  moment  later, 
"that  Psyche  goes  with  the  property;  is  entailed 
upon  me,  as  it  were  ?  " 

"Oh,  of  course.  What  is  that? — 'Love  me, 

love '  Oh  Dick,  is  this  a  love-match  f  You  know 

what  you  said  a  while  ago  regarding  two  certain  old 
bachelors?" 

" I  also  said,"  he  replied  gravely,  "that  there  were 
exceptions.  I  am  one  of  the  exceptions  that  prove 
the  rule." 


128 


XIV 

DOMESTIC  JARS 


DENNING,  as  president  of  the  North  "Western 
National  Bank  of  Eockland,  soon  achieved  a  widely 
different  reputation  from  Denning,  the  mining  man 
and  capitalist  of  Henley.  This,  not  because  he  was 
less  a  man  of  business,  but  more  distinctly  a  man  of 
the  world. 

His  finely  appointed  home  was  the  centre  of  social 
life  in  Eockland  and  to  have  entr&e  within  its  doors 
was  considered  an  enviable  distinction.  He  was  one  of 
the  most  popular  members  of  two  of  the  wealthiest 
and  most  exclusive  clubs  in  Eockland,  one  a  bankers' 
club,  the  other  a  more  widely  social  institution.  But, 
in  Eockland,  as  in  Henley,  the  motive  underlying 
every  act  was  the  same — self-glorification.  In  his 
courtesy  to  the  guest  in  his  home  or  in  the  brilliant 
after-dinner  speech  at  a  club-banquet,  his  first  and  only 
thought  was  of  himself.  u Egoism  rampant!"  was 
Mrs.  Dick  Hollinghead's  terse  comment,  after  a  brief 
visit  with  her  husband  at  Denning' s  home. 

But  it  was  not  alone  among  the  exclusive  circles 
of  the  upper  social  and  financial  world  that  Denning 
fostered  and  nurtured  his  growing  popularity.  He 
gave,  discreetly  but  generously,  to  charitable  and 
philanthropic  institutions ;  he  interested  himself  in 
political  and  sociological  questions ;  he  urged  concili- 
9  129 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

atory  measures  in  the  ever-increasing  strife  between 
labor  and  capital,  and  when,  in  one  of  the  big  strikes 
occurring  in  that  State,  he  found  himself  elected  as 
one  of  the  arbitrators  to  adjust  matters  between  em- 
ployers and  employed,  he  advocated  such  liberal 
concessions  to  the  strikers,  that  the  following  day's 
issue  of  the  socialistic  paper  characterized  him  as 
"the  workingman's  friend,"  to  the  amusement  of  the 
few  who  knew  him  best. 

To  outsiders,  Denning' s  domestic  life  seemed  pecu- 
liarly happy.  To  himself,  looking  on  the  public  side, 
it  was  eminently  satisfactory,  but  from  a  private  side, 
something  of  a  bore  after  the  freedom  and  indepen- 
dence of  club  life.  There  could  scarcely  have  been  a 
woman  better  fitted  to  aid  him  in  carrying  out  his 
plans  for  social  supremacy  than  Mrs.  Denning,  and  he 
appreciated  this  fact.  Along  this  line  they  worked 
in  perfect  harmony ;  but  beyond  this,  they  had  no 
interests  in  common.  So  remote  were  they  in  their 
individual  lives  that  they  knew  little  more  regarding 
each  other's  real  personality  at  the  end  of  the  first 
year  of  married  life,  than  at  the  beginning.  During 
the  second  year,  however,  a  trifling  incident  revealed 
to  Denning  a  phase  of  his  wife's  character  which  left 
a  lasting  impression  upon  his  mind. 

Returning  home  after  a  particularly  wearisome  day, 
he  missed  Helen's  customary  greeting ;  she  was 
nowhere  to  be  seen.  Entering  the  hall  he  heard 
voices  in  the  drawing  room  and  ascertained  from  the 
butler  that  Mrs.  Denning  had  company  to  dinner. 
He  recognized  the  names  of  the  guests  as  two  mem- 
bers of  the  Art  League — one  of  Mrs.  Denning' s 
"fads."  He  was  tired  enough  that  he  would  have 

130 


DOMESTIC  JARS 

been  glad  of  an  evening  at  home,  but  to  listen 
throughout  dinner  to  platitudes  on  art  was  too  much 
to  be  expected. 

"Say  to  Mrs.  Denning  that  I  have  an  engagement 
at  the  club  this  evening." 

"Yes,  sir." 

' l  Where  is  Miss  Helen  ? ' ' 

"In  her  apartments,  I  believe,  sir." 

"With  a  feeling  of  irritation,  Denning  passed  up- 
stairs and  went  in  search  of  Helen.  She  was  not  in 
her  play  room,  but  in  response  to  his  call,  answered 
from  the  dainty  bedroom  beyond. 

"Helen,  are  you  sick?"  he  asked,  hastening  to  the 
door,  where  he  stopped  in  surprise.  Upon  the  little 
bed,  under  the  blue  and  white  canopy,  Helen,  attired 
in  a  blue  and  white  wrapper,  sat  enthroned  among 
the  pillows,  surrounded  by  a  court  of  dolls  of  all  sizes, 
colors  and  conditions. 

"Helen,  what  does  this  mean?  Why  aren't  you 
downstairs? "  he  asked,  going  to  the  bed  and  bending 
over  her. 

She  sprang  into  his  arms  and  laid  her  head  on  his 
shoulder. 

"Because  mamma  has  sent  me  to  bed  to  punish 
me ;  and  papa,  I  wouldn't  minded  if  I'd  been 
naughty,  but  I  haven't.  Do  you  think  that's  fair, 
papa?"  Her  cheeks  flushed  and  he  could  feel  the 
slight  form  trembling.  He  sat  down  on  the  bed, 
holding  her  still  in  his  arms. 

"Tell  me  about  it,"  he  said. 

"You  know,  papa,  that  day  I  went  downtown 
with  you  and  you  took  me  to  the  candy  shop  and  that 
cunning  little  ice  cream  parlor,  and  then  to  the  club 

131 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

house  to   hear   that   beautiful   little  boy  play  the 
violin?" 

"Yes." 

"  Well,  I  told  mamma  all  about  it,  only  I  didn't  say 
anything  about  going  to  the  club  house  to  hear  the 
music,  because,  you  know,  she  doesn't  care  for  music 
like  you  and  me.  And,  you  know,  that  music  was 
so  beautiful  it  made  me  cry  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"Well,  don't  you  know,  if  it  had  been  something 
that  she  liked,  I  could  have  told  her  about  it,  but  I 
knew  she  would  only  laugh  at  me,  and  somehow,  I 
didn't  want  to  say  anything  about  it,  because  you  and 
I  knew,  and  that  was  enough.  But  she  found  out 
about  it  some  way  and  asked  me  to-day  if  you  took 
me  to  the  club  house,  and  of  course  I  told  her  you 
did.  And  then  she  said  I  had  just  the  same  as  told 
her  a  lie  that  day  I  didn't  tell  her  about  it ;  because 
she  said  I  had  kept  back  the  truth  and  deceived  her. 
But  I  didn't  mean  to  deceive  her,  and  I  don't  deserve 
to  be  punished  and  it  isn't  fair  ! "  she  concluded,  with 
more  vehemence  than  he  had  ever  heard  her  use,  her 
lips  quivering  under  the  sense  of  outraged  justice. 

Denning' s  anger  was  roused,  but  he  soothed  and 
caressed  the  child. 

"Wouldn't  you  enjoy  having  dinner  with  me,  as 
well  as  going  downstairs  f  "  he  asked. 

"Ever  so  much  more!  It  would  be  a  great  deal 
nicer,  but  I  can't,  you  see,  for  mamma  said  I  couldn't 
leave  my  bedroom  and  I  must  obey  her." 

"Well,  we  will  have  Lena  bring  a  table  in  here 
and  put  it  beside  the  bed,  and  you  and  the  dolls  can 
sit  at  one  end  and  I'll  sit  at  the  other." 

132 


DOMESTIC  JARS 

"Oh,  that  will  be  nicest  of  all! — but  mamma 
will  expect  you  downstairs;  she  has  company,  you 
know." 

"I  think  not ; "  Denning  smiled  at  the  recollection ; 
"I  left  word  with  Parker  that  I  was  dining  out 
to-night ' ' 

Near  the  close  of  the  dainty  repast,  Helen  lifted 
her  brown  eyes  with  a  new  apprehension  dawning  in 
them. 

"I  s'pose,  papa,"  she  said  slowly,  laying  down  her 
fork  and  gazing  reflectively  into  Denning' s  face;  "I 
s'  pose  F 11  have  to  tell  mamma  all  about  this  dinner, 
or  she'll  say  I  have  deceived  her  again." 

"  I  will  explain  to  mamma  about  the  dinner,  Helen ; 
and  about  the  music,  also,"  he  replied  gravely. 

After  bidding  Helen  good-night,  Denning  left  the 
house  by  a  side  entrance  and  went  downtown  to  his 
office  in  the  bank,  where  he  switched  on  the  electrics, 
locked  the  door  and  sat  down  at  his  desk.  Trivial  as 
the  incident  was  in  itself,  it  had  roused  his  anger 
more  than  anything  which  had  occurred  since  his 
marriage.  He  was  indignant  at  the  injustice  done 
Helen,  irritated  to  find  that  his  wife  entertained  such 
quixotic  notions,  but  more  than  all,  his  anger  was 
stirred  by  the  suspicion  of  a  lack  of  confidence  in  him 
on  his  wife's  part ;  an  unwillingness  to  trust  the  child 
to  him  without  question. 

On  returning  home,  Denning  went  to  his  wife's 
sitting  room  before  retiring  to  his  own. 

"You  are  home  earlier  than  I  expected,"  she 
remarked  as  he  entered. 

1  i  I  am  tired  to-night  and  feel  the  need  of  extra 
rest,"  he  replied,  taking  a  seat  opposite  her  at  the 

133 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

table  by  which  she  sat  reading:  "Did  you  have  an 
enjoyable  evening  ? ' ' 

"Passably.  I  was  sorry  you  had  an  engagement. 
Miss  Landmer  and  Mr.  Mowbray  both  left  regrets  that 
they  did  not  meet  you." 

"Thanks  !  I  must  confess  I  have  no  regrets  in  the 
matter,"  he  replied  coolly  ;  then  with  a  slight  change 
of  tone,  "  I  didn't  meet  Helen  as  usual,  when  I  came 
home." 

"  She  was  in  her  room." 

"  I  know ;  I  found  her  there." 

"You  were  there f  " 

"  I  was  ;  in  fact,  I  took  dinner  with  her." 

""With  Helen!     I  thought  you  dined  at  the  club." 

"  I  expected  to,  but — changed  my  mind." 

"  Your  '  engagement '  could  scarcely  have  been  very 
important ! " 

"I  have  a  standing  engagement  at  the  club  when- 
ever it  suits  my  convenience  to  dine  there.  Regarding 
Helen,  however ;  don't  you  think,  Marian,  you  were 
rather  unjust  ?  What  had  that  child  done  to  deserve 
punishment?" 

i  i  Didn'  t  she  tell  you  ?    That  she  had  deceived  me  ?  " 

"  She  told  me  you  said  something  of  the  kind,  but 
Marian,  that  is  preposterous  !  The  child  had  no  idea 
of  deceiving  you." 

"Pardon  me;  I  dislike  to  contradict  you,  but  I 
gave  her  the  benefit  of  the  doubt,  thinking  she  might 
simply  have  forgotten  to  tell  me  of  her  visit  to  the 
club  house ;  until  I  questioned  her  closely  and  found 
that  she  had  deliberately  concealed  the  fact  from 
me " 

"Not  'concealed'  Marian;  withheld  it,  perhaps, 
134 


DOMESTIC  JARS 

because  she  thought  you  would  not  be  interested  to 
know  it." 

"Your  fine  distinctions,  or  her  reasons,  do  not  alter 
the  facts.  She  intentionally  withheld  part  of  the 
truth,  while  giving  me  the  impression  she  had  told 
the  whole  truth.  It  was  a  small  matter,  but  the  prin- 
ciple involved  is  the  same.  It  was  the  beginning  of 
duplicity,  and  as  such  must  be  checked." 

Denning' s  lip  curled  contemptuously,  but  his  tones 
were  even  and  calm  :  "  That,  I  suppose,  is  the  prin- 
ciple governing  your  own  life  ;  the  whole  truth  on  all 
occasions,  with  no  reservations." 

"It  is  the  principle  governing  my  life,"  she  replied, 
with  equal  calmness,  "in  all  relations  where  the 
whole  truth  is  demanded.  Reservations  are  to  be  ex- 
pected between  mere  acquaintances  or  casual  friends, 
but  in  the  intimate  relations  of  life — as  between 
parent  and  child,  or  husband  and  wife — there  should 
be  no  reservations." 

"Like  most  theorists,  you  fail  to  live  up  to  your 
theory.  What  do  we — you  and  I — know  of  each 
other's  daily  life?  You  go  your  way  and  I  go 
mine ' ' 

"  Do  you  wish  it  otherwise  ?  " 

11  Most  emphatically,  no." 

"I  thought  as  much.  I  judged  that  manner  of 
living  to  be  your  choice  and  have  therefore  followed 
it.  But  I  can  assure  you  there  is  nothing  in  my  life, 
past  or  present,  that  you  might  not  know  to  the 
minutest  detail,  if  you  wished.  I,  on  my  part,  have 
no  desire  to  question  regarding  your  life.  Much  of  it 
— perhaps,  most  of  it — does  not  concern  me.  But," 
she  hesitated  an  instant,  then  continued,  calmly  and 

135 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

dispassionately,  "  If  I  were  to  find  that  you  had  con- 
cealed— or  *  withheld '  I  believe  is  your  word — any- 
thing which  did  in  any  way  concern  me,  as  your  wife, 
I  would — "  again  she  hesitated. 

"  Proceed  ;  I  am  interested." 

"I  would,  of  course,  consider  that  you  had  deceived 
me,"  she  concluded,  quietly  ignoring  his  irony. 

"  And  would  punish  me  accordingly,  I  suppose." 

"No,  I  would  not  attempt  that.  I  would  simply 
withdraw  altogether.  I  never  give  any  one  an  oppor- 
tunity to  deceive  me  a  second  time." 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Denning,  rising ;  "  I  am  glad  to 
have  such  a  perfect  understanding  between  us.  I 
shall  reserve  the  right,  however,  to  judge  for  myself 
as  to  what  does,  or  does  not,  concern  you." 

He  turned  and  leaning  slightly  forward,  his  hands 
on  the  back  of  the  chair  he  had  just  vacated,  he 
regarded  her  with  a  searching  look. 

"There  is  one  other  point  I  would  like  to  have 
decided  before  I  leave  the  room.  Do  you,  or  do  you 
not,  trust  me  implicitly  as  Helen's  father? " 

For  a  moment  she  seemed  staggered  by  the  ques- 
tion, and  for  the  first  time,  Denning  saw  a  faint  color 
in  her  cheek.  It  angered  him  anew. 

"Let  us  have  a  perfect  understanding  on  this 
point,"  he  said  calmly,  but  in  a  tone  she  had  never 
heard  before.  "Is  Helen  to  be  trusted  to  go  and  come 
with  me,  as  any  other  child  with  its  father,  or  is  she 
to  be  under  espionage ;  subjected  afterward  to  your 
inquisitions;  perhaps,  as  she  grows  older,  chap- 
eroned?" The  last  words  he  flung  out  with  biting 
sarcasm. 

Mrs.   Denning    rose    slowly  and  confronted    him. 
136 


DOMESTIC  JARS 

"Mr.  Denning,"  she  said,  in  a  low,  steady  voice,  "I 
consider  the  implication  of  your  question  an  insult." 

"  And  I  consider  the  fact  that  I  have  to  ask  it,  the 
fact  that  that  child  is  compelled  to  give  a  detailed 
account  of  her  little  outings  with  me,  an  implied 
insult,  of  the  worst  kind,  to  myself." 

Her  eyes  searched  his  face,  but  she  made  no  reply. 

"I  regard  that  child  the  same  as  my  own,"  he  con- 
tinued j  "and  I  demand  whether  or  not  I  am  to  be 
regarded  as  her  father? " 

1 '  Mr.  Denning,  did  you  marry  me  for  the  sake  of 
my  child?" 

a  I  married  you,  if  you  will  remember,  with  the 
express  understanding  that  your  child  was  to  be  as 
my  own.  Is  that  condition  to  be  fulfilled,  or  not? " 

The  slight  color  had  faded  ;  she  looked  pale  instead. 

11  It  is,"  she  replied,  a  sort  of  apathy  in  her  tone. 

"  Without  any  reservations?  " 

"Yes." 

' l  Thank  you.     Good-  night. ' ' 

Denning  went  to  his  room  assured  that  he  had 
gained  his  point  but  with  the  perturbing  consciousness 
of  having  made  an  unpleasant  discovery.  He  felt  the 
utmost  contempt  for  his  wife's  views,  nevertheless,  he 
was  annoyed.  She  was  the  kind  of  woman,  he  re- 
flected, that  wouldn't  hesitate  to  make  it  deucedly 
awkward  for  a  fellow  if  he  failed  to  come  up  to  her 
exalted  standards.  However,  he  congratulated  him- 
self, his  aflairs,  past  and  present,  were  within  his  own 
keeping  and  she  would  have  little  opportunity  for 
passing  judgment  upon  them. 

But  Denning' s  perturbation  after  their  interview, 
was  slight  compared  with  his  wife's,  whose  pride  had 

137 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

sustained  a  fearful  blow  in  the  humiliating  discovery 
that  in  her  husband's  esteem  she  occupied  but  a 
secondary  place,  and  even  that,  only  by  virtue  of  the 
deeper  regard  he  had  for  her  child.  And  to  add  to 
her  humiliation,  not  even  to  herself  could  she  accuse 
him  of  deceiving  her  in  the  matter.  She  had  been 
self-deceived ;  blinded  by  her  own  pride.  She  had 
flattered  herself,  before  their  marriage,  that  his  atten- 
tions to  her  child  had  been  a  subtle  method  of  win- 
ning her  approbation  and  esteem.  There  had  been 
no  assumption  of  love  on  either  side,  but,  until 
to-night,  she  had  believed  herself  secure  in  the  highest 
place  in  her  husband's  regard,  and  the  realization  of 
her  true  position  came  upon  her  with  crushing  force. 
But  the  same  pride  which  had  blinded  her  in  the 
past,  she  summoned  to  her  aid  now ; — no  one,  least 
of  all,  her  husband,  should  know  by  word  or  look  of 
hers,  the  discovery  she  had  made — while  her  woman's 
wit  speedily  set  to  work  to  devise,  if  possible,  some 
change  in  such  an  intolerable  situation. 

The  third  year  of  Denning' s  married  life  was 
marked  by  the  advent  of  a  son.'  Congratulations 
upon  the  auspicious  event  poured  in  upon  the  presi- 
dent of  the  North  Western.  Wine  flowed  in  the 
private  offices  for  the  bank  officials  and  their  friends, 
while  outside,  cigars  were  dispensed  to  "  all  sorts  and 
conditions  of  men  "  as  they  came  and  went  in  endless 
procession  before  the  little  grated  windows. 

As  usual,  Denning' s  view  of  the  event  was  from  a 
business,  more  than  a  sentimental,  standpoint.  When 
he  took  the  small  bundle  of  flannel  and  linen  and  lace 
into  his  arms,  its  living  warmth  against  his  breast ; 

138 


DOMESTIC  JARS 

its  vigorous  though,  vague  and  uncertain  movements ; 
the  faint  breath  on  his  cheek  as  he  bent  his  head 
above  it ;  the  touch  of  the  tiny,  wrinkled  hand  that 
clung,  with  the  tenacious  grip  of  all  helpless  things, 
to  his  finger ;  all  stirred  within  him  sensations  new 
and  strange.  That  little  morsel  of  humanity  was  a 
part  of  himself,  its  veins  pulsating  with  his  blood,  its 
form  throbbing  with  his  life.  At  such  times  he  felt  a 
sort  of  subdued  thrill  of  ecstacy.  But  usually,  he 
thought  of  the  new  comer  as  his  heir,  his  successor ; 
another  representative  in  the  long  line  of  Dennings, — 
men  with  jet-black  hair,  with  keen,  steel-blue  eyes 
and  steel-like  natures,  men  born  to  plan  and  to  ex- 
ecute— and  in  imagination,  he  saw  him  as  a  man, 
making  good  his  own  place  in  the  financial  world 
when  he  himself  should  have  left  it  for  the  political 
arena ;  or  later,  should  have  retired  with  well-won 
honors. 

His  wife  exulted  as  she  saw  his  pride  in  his  son. 
This  child — his  own  flesh  and  blood — was,  as  she  well 
knew,  hers  in  a  sense  that  Helen  had  never  been. 
She  believed  him  so  impressed  with  her  own  person- 
ality that  her  husband,  in  loving  his  child,  would  love 
her  likeness  and  unconsciously  be  drawn  nearer  to 
her,  the  prototype. 

It  seemed  for  a  few  weeks  as  though  her  anticipation 
might  be  realized.  Denning  showed  his  wife  a  new 
deference  and  gentleness  ;  his  pride  in  the  child  grew 
with  its  growth,  while  his  affection  for  Helen  con- 
tinued unabated.  Each  child  filled,  in  his  thought, 
its  own  place ;  one,  to  minister  to  his  enjoyment  of 
the  home  life ;  the  other,  to  be  his  representative  in 
business  life. 

139 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Not  until  the  babe  was  several  weeks  old  and  the 
subject  of  a  name  for  him  came  under  serious  dis- 
cussion, was  there  any  break  in  these  newer  and 
pleasanter  relations. 

"  I  would  like  to  name  him  for  my  father,  Wilbur 
Kingsley,"  said  Mrs.  Denning,  "but  that,  perhaps, 
would  not  be  quite  fair  to  you,  so  I  thought  of  Kings- 
ley  Macavoy.  We  will  have  to  call  him  Kingsley  in 
either  event,  to  avoid  confusion." 

Denning  shot  a  quick,  though  smiling,  glance  at 
her,  as  he  took  the  child  from  her  : 

"  Thomas  Macavoy,  Jr.,  doesn't  seem  to  have 
occurred  to  you." 

"  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  bestow  your  full  name  on 
him,  is  it?" 

"  It's  a  good,  old  family  name  and  naturally,  I  want 
my  son  to  be  as  much  of  a  reproduction  of  myself  as 
possible." 

11  To  be  frank,  I  don't  like  the  name,"  she  answered ; 
11  Imagine  his  being  called  'Tommy'  and  'Tom'  !  I 
couldn't  endure  it." 

Denning  apparently  did  not  hear  her.  He  had 
carried  the  child  to  a  window  and  was  regarding  it 
intently.  Suddenly  he  exclaimed  : 

"  Marian,  this  boy  has  black  eyes  ! " 

"Well,"  she  replied  nonchalantly,  lifting  her  own 
dark  eyes  with  a  smile  of  amusement  at  the  serious 
import  of  his  tone  ;  "  what  else  could  you  expect  him 
to  have?" 

"  Blue,  of  course.  The  males  in  our  line  all  have 
blue  eyes  and  black  hair — like  my  own.  A  black- 
eyed  Denning  would  be  an  anomaly." 

"  You  could  not  possibly  expect  me  to  be  aware  of 
140 


DOMESTIC  JARS 

that,"  she  answered,  with  a  light  laugh  that  angered 
him. 

"The  baby  has  its  mother's  eyes  and  hair,  Mr. 
Denning,"  the  nurse  added,  with  pacific  intent,  as  she 
left  the  room. 

In  his  brief,  hurried  visits,  Denning  had  not  given 
these  details  his  attention.  Now,  he  noted  for  the 
first  time  the  thick,  closely  curling  brown  hair  and 
certain  slight,  but  unmistakable,  resemblances  to  his 
wife  in  the  diminutive  features. 

In  the  swift  revulsion  of  feeling  which  followed,  he 
returned  the  child  to  his  wife  in  silence,  but  there  was 
that  in  his  manner  that  made  her  recoil  j  her  pride 
had  received  a  second  blow. 

11  It  is  to  be  regretted,"  she  said,  a  touch  of  irony 
in  her  tone,  l  i  that  your  child  is  so  unfortunate  as  to 
resemble  its  mother." 

"It  is  no  use  to  try  to  explain  to  you,"  he  replied 
quietly  ;  ' t  you  would  not  understand  if  I  did  ;  but  I 
had  hoped  if  ever  I  had  a  son,  that  he  would  be  like 
me,  as  I  am  like  my  father." 

"It  is  to  be  presumed  then,  that  you  would  not 
wish  him  to  bear  the  l  family  name.'  " 

"No,"  he  replied  with  decision,  but  ignoring  her 
irony  5  l  i  name  him,  as  you  wished,  for  your  father, 
Wilbur  Kingsley.  He  is  far  more  of  a  Kingsley  than 
a  Denning,"  and  he  left  the  room. 


141 


XV 

ANOTHER  "RICHARDS  EPISODE" 

AT  the  close  of  the  first  decade  in  the  life  of  the 
North  Western  National  Bank,  its  reputation  as  one 
of  the  strongest  institutions  in  the  State  had  been  es- 
tablished beyond  the  shadow  of  doubt.  Its  president 
had  an  equally  well  established  reputation  as  a  man  of 
sterling  business  integrity,  remarkable  acumen  and 
conservative  business  methods.  Denning' s  methods  in 
earlier  life  had  been  anything  but  conservative,  but 
as  conservatism  was  considered  an  essential  when  con- 
ducting business  for  the  public,  he  was  careful  that 
his  present  methods  should  have  a  distinct  flavor 
of  that  popular  ingredient.  In  a  way,  Denning 
considered  the  bank's  name  and  his  own  as  nearly 
synonymous,  with  the  result  that  as  the  former  gradu- 
ally acquired  something  of  national  repute,  the  latter 
was  also  beginning  to  be  recognized  in  financial 
circles,  "West  and  East. 

His  social  and  domestic  life  continued  much  the 
same.  Mrs.  Denning  was  an  acknowledged  leader  in 
society ;  but  individually,  their  lives  were,  if  anything, 
farther  apart.  Helen,  now  a  beautiful  girl  of  fifteen, 
was  the  joy  of  his  life  outside  of  business ;  not  only 
his  favorite,  but  his  confidante,  as  well.  He  was  fond 
of  his  boy,  Kingsley,  but  found  a  constant  source  of 
disappointment  in  his  increasing  resemblance  to  his 
mother. 

142 


ANOTHER  "RICHARDS  EPISODE" 

Eockland  had  developed  into  a  city  of  considerable 
importance.  Denning,  after  careful  investigation, 
finding  the  conditions  propitious,  believed  the  time  had 
come  for  his  next  initiatory  step  and,  through  his  lieu- 
tenants, announced  himself  as  a  candidate  for  mayor. 

His  name  awoke  at  once  the  wildest  enthusiasm  in 
his  own  party  and  consternation  throughout  the  ranks 
of  the  opposing  party.  He  received  the  nomination 
by  acclamation,  and  the  other  side  put  up  its  strongest 
man  against  him.  There  was  a  brief,  hot  campaign, 
followed  by  a  close  contest  on  election  day,  but  Den- 
ning won  by  a  good  majority,  and  one  of  the  first  to 
congratulate  him  was  his  opponent  at  the  polls. 

One  morning,  a  few  weeks  after  his  installation  in 
office,  while  yet  in  the  first  flush  of  his  victory,  his 
secretary  handed  him  the  card  of  John  P.  Eichards. 

Denning  seldom  forgot  a  name  or  a  face  and  this 
name  he  had  especial  cause  to  remember.  As  he  was 
likely  to  be  engaged  for  some  time,  he  excused  him- 
self and  stepped  out  into  the  large  waiting  room, 
where,  seated  a  little  apart  from  the  usual  crowd 
awaiting  an  audience  with  the  mayor,  he  found  Mr. 
Eichards,  looking  scarcely  older  than  when  he  had 
called  upon  him  in  Henley,  eleven  years  before. 

The  latter  arose  with  alacrity  as  Denning  singled 
him  out  for  a  greeting. 

11  Well,  well,  Mr.  Denning,  how  d'ye  do?  You  see 
I've  looked  you  up,  as  I  said  I  would ;  but  I  swear,  I 
didn't  expect  to  find  you  here  ! " 

"Very  glad  to  see  you  Mr.  Eichards;  it's  very 
kind  in  you  to  look  me  up." 

"  And  I've  come,"  interposed  Mr.  Eichards  eagerly, 
"  on  the  same  errand  as  I  came  before — to  congratulate 

143 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

you !  You've  cleared  out  and  left  all  of  us  min- 
ing fellows  way  behind,  but  I  don't  bear  any  grudge 
against  you  for  it.  I'm  proud  of  you,  Mr.  Denning  ; 
just  as  proud  as  though  I'd  had  a  hand  in  it  myself — 
I  only  wish  I  had,  by  George  ! " 

11  Thank  you  ;  thank  you  very  much,  Mr.  Eichards, 
and  now  I  want  to  inquire  how  long  you  are  going  to 
be  in  town?" 

"Oh,  I'm  going  out  on  the  afternoon  train;  just 
stopped  off  to  have  a  word  or  two  with  you,  and  look 
around  a  little." 

""Well,  Mr.  Richards,  I'm  engaged  at  present  with 
a  committee  on  a  matter  regarding  some  franchises — 
will  take  about  an  hour — and  then — "  glancing  about 
him — "I  must  see  some  of  these  people,  of  course; 
can  you  come  in  about  eleven- thirty  ? " 

11  Yes,  eleven-thirty  or  any  time  that  suits  you,  Mr. 
Denning,  and  I'm  much  obliged." 

As  Denning  sat  apparently  listening  to  the  argu- 
ments for  and  against  the  granting  of  the  franchises, 
his  thoughts  drifted  backward  to  Mr.  Richards'  former 
visit  and  to  the  past  which  it  recalled ;  that  past 
which,  at  one  time,  he  had  vainly  tried  to  forget,  but 
which,  since  that  interview,  had  gradually  faded  from 
his  mind  till  now,  as  he  recalled  it,  it  seemed  like  a 
glimpse  into  some  life  other  than  his  own.  Now  that 
it  was  dead  and  buried,  he  almost  smiled  as  he  recol- 
lected his  old,  haunting  fears  of  it;  he  surely  had 
been  morbidly  sensitive.  It  occurred  to  him  that  Mr. 
Richards  had,  unknowingly,  had  a  hand  in  his  later 
successes,  for  his  words  that  day  had  given  him  a  new 
lease  of  life,  and  with  it,  new  ambitions  and  a  new 
power  to  gratify  them. 

144 


ANOTHER  "RICHARDS  EPISODE" 

Perhaps  some  slight  sentiment  of  this  sort  would 
have  led  Denning  to  devote  extra  time  and  attention 
to  Mr.  Richards  that  day.  Be  that  as  it  may,  Fate 
had  apparently  so  ordered  it. 

When  Denning  at  eleven-thirty  went  again  into  the 
waiting  room,  to  see  if  among  the  claimants  still 
awaiting  him,  there  were  any  with  matters  of  par- 
ticular importance,  he  found  Mr.  Richards,  and 
seated  beside  him  was  Hollingshead. 

"  Hullo,  Dick  when  did  you  get  in  1 " 

"About  a  couple  of  hours  ago.  I  ran  across  Mr. 
Richards  here,  who  said  he  had  an  appointment  with 
you,  so  we  came  round  together.  Haven't  seen  you 
since  election,  you  know,  so  I  thought  Fd  make  a 
verbal  report  this  month  and  hand  in  my  congratu- 
lations at  the  same  time." 

After  answering  a  few  questions  and  making 
appointments  with  others  for  the  following  day,  Den- 
ning dismissed  the  remaining  hangers-on,  and  ushered 
his  guests  into  his  office. 

' '  Well,  Mr.  Richards,  allow  me  to  congratulate 
yow,"  he  said,  as  they  seated  themselves;  "Mr.  Hol- 
lingshead and  I  have  aged  a  bit  in  these  last  few 
years,  but  you  don't  look  a  day  older  than  when  I 
saw  you  in  Henley." 

"  That's  because  I've  got  to  the  top  of  the  hill  where 
I  can  stop  and  rest  for  a  spell,  while  you  fellows  are 
still  climbing,"  he  answered,  laughing. 

"  Is  this  your  first  trip  West  since  then?  "  Denning 
inquired. 

"Yes,  my  first.  You  see,  about  the  time  I  was 
expecting  to  come  out  again,  my  wife's  health  failed 
and  we  went  abroad  for  two  or  three  years  on  her 
10  145 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

account.  But  that  didn't  help  her;  she  only  lived 
about  six  months  after  we  got  back.  From  that  time 
on,  there's  been  one  thing  and  another  to  keep  me  in 
the  East,  but  I've  settled  everything  up  at  last,  and 
here  I  am,  and  here  I  mean  to  stay,  for  a  while  any- 
way. But  now  do  tell  me  what  you've  been  doing.  I 
never  was  quite  so  cut  up  as  when  I  got  to  Henley  and 
found  you  wasn't  there.  Mr.  Hollingshead  here,  told 
me  where  I'd  find  you,  but  I  swear,  if  it  don't  beat 
all !  How  did  you  ever  happen  to  get  into  politics, 
Mr.  Denning?" 

"I  didn't  'happen'  in,  Mr.  Richards;  I  went  in 
deliberately  and  shall  probably  remain  in  for  the  rest 
of  my  life." 

"I  see,"  said  Richards,  with  one  of  his  shrewd 
looks.  li  You've  sort  of  made  your  debut  as  mayor, 
but  you'll  appear  in  another  role,  as  the  play-bills  say, 
before  you  leave  the  stage.  Well,  if  I'm  in  the  State, 
you'll  get  my  vote  every  time,  and  I'm  one  that  votes 
1  early  and  often,'  "  he  added  with  a  laugh. 

They  went  to  lunch  together,  and  after  the  details 
of  Denning' s  recent  victory,  in  which  both  his  guests 
were  interested,  Hollingshead  gave  the  latest  news 
from  Henley  and  the  talk  drifted  to  mines  and  min- 
ing. By  the  time  they  returned  to  the  office,  the  con- 
versation had  become  rather  desultory,  general  rather 
than  personal,  and  with  the  consciousness  that  the  in- 
terview was  drawing  to  a  close,  they  seated  themselves 
for  the  few  minutes  remaining,  in  the  large  waiting 
room.  At  a  little  distance  from  them  was  Denning' s 
secretary  ;  others  were  coming  and  going,  but  as  there 
was  as  yet  no  one  waiting  to  see  Denning,  the  latter 
sat  smoking  and  listening  indifferently  to  his  guests. 

146 


ANOTHER  "RICHARDS  EPISODE" 

lt  Did  I  understand  you  to  say  that  you  expect  to 
remain  in  the  West?"  Hollingshead  inquired  of 
Eichards. 

"Yes,  for  the  next  few  years.  I  lived  in  New 
York  because  my  wife  and  daughters  liked  it.  Now, 
my  wife  is  gone,  the  girls  are  married  and  my  son  is 
in  business  for  himself ;  so  there's  nothing  to  keep  me 
there  any  longer.  New  York's  too  lonesome  for  me. 
It  may  sound  queer,  but  I'm  lonesomer  jostling  the 
crowds  on  Fifth  Avenue  or  Wall  Street,  than  I  am  in 
the  mountains,  with  not  a  soul  in  sight." 

" There's  something  in  that,"  said  Hollingshead; 
"I've  been  there,  myself." 

"  After  my  home  was  broken  up  and  before  I'd  got 
things  settled  I  used  to  spend  a  good  deal  of  my  time 
down  in  Pennsylvania,  with  my  brother,  at  Alton — 
that's  where  I  was  raised — and  that  reminds  me,"  he 
continued,  turning  to  Denning.  "I  got  to  talking 
with  my  brother  one  day  about  that  family  that  you 
and  I  was  speaking  of  when  I  saw  you  in  Henley  — 
the  Heldts,  you  remember?  " 

Denning  nodded,  conscious  of  a  sudden  stricture  in 
his  throat. 

' '  Well,  you  was  right  about  there  being  a  girl  in 
the  family,  but  she  didn't  live  with  her  folks,  and  I 
guess  father  had  forgotten  about  her  when  he  told  me 
the  family  had  been  wiped  out  by  the  fever.  It  only 
goes  to  show  how  a  stranger  will  sometimes  remember 
details  about  places  and  people  that  those  who  are 
familiar  with  them  forget." 

The  room  had  grown  dark  to  Denning,  a  darkness 
through  which  he  saw  the  outlines  of  familiar  objects, 
while  red  and  white  lights  swam  and  danced  before 

147 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

his  eyes.  His  head  whirled,  but  he  remembered 
Hollingshead  was  listening,  perhaps  his  secretary  ;  he 
must  answer  in  such  a  way  that  they  would  suspect 
nothing,  and  yet,  he  must  know  the  truth  !  It  seemed 
to  him  an  eternity  before  he  could  find  words  to 
reply. 

To  Hollingshead,  it  seemed  as  though  Denning 
hesitated  a  moment  before  replying,  and  he  saw  his 
face  flush  crimson,  then  suddenly  grow  pale. 

I  i  So  the  old  man  still  has  a  living  representative, 
has  he  1  some  one  to  perpetuate  the  race,  if  not  the 
name."     Denning  laughed  lightly  as  he  spoke  and 
shook  the  ashes  from  his  cigar. 

"Yes,  though  from  what  I've  heard,  I  guess  neither 
she  nor  her  boy  take  after  the  old  man." 

Her  boy  !  Good  God  !  Had  she  got  a  divorce  and 
remarried?  or 

Richards  was  again  speaking  in  his  easy,  drawling 
tone,  and  the  first  words  brought  the  cold  sweat  from 
Denning. 

II  It  seems  some  twenty  years  or  more  ago,  that  a 
rich  young    fellow — my  brother    couldn't   recall  his 
name — who  had  been  hanging  around  there,  married 
her — I  guess  it  was  a  sort  of  marriage  under  duress — 
and  then  cleared  out  and  left  her.     But  he  evidently 
squared  it  up  with  his  conscience  by  leaving  some 
money  in  the  bank  for  her.     And  he    was  sharp 
enough  to  fix  it  so  the  old  man  couldn't  get  hold  of 
it — left  it  in  trust  till  she  came  of  age — and  that  made 
the  old  fellow  go  mad,  he  told  the  girl  she'  d  have  to  pay 
for  her  keeping.     But  she  wouldn't  use  it  for  herself, 
she  wanted  to  keep  it  for  her  child,  so  what  does  she 
do  but  leave  home  after  the  birth  of  the  child  and  go 

148 


ANOTHER  "RICHARDS  EPISODE" 

to  Dayton — close  by  Alton — and  take  enough  of  the 
money  to  set  up  a  little  store — news-stand,  cigars, 
candy,  and  so  on — and  goes  into  business.  Well,  you 
wouldn't  think  it  maybe,  but  my  brother  said  the 
little  woman  pulled  through,  paid  back  the  money 
into  the  bank,  established  a  good  business  and  took 
care  of  herself  and  her  boy,  without  using  a  cent  of 
the  money  on  herself,  and  only  part  of  the  interest  for 
her  boy.  She  said  she  was  keeping  it  for  him  when 
he  grew  up." 

"By  Jove,  she  was  plucky!"  Hollingshead 
interposed. 

"  She  must  have  been  of  a  different  breed  from  the 
rest  of  the  family,"  Denning  rejoined  lightly,  but  his 
face  was  ashen  and  great  drops  stood  on  his  forehead. 

"  "Well,  my  brother  says  the  old  woman  was  pretty 
bright  in  her  younger  days,  and  she  and  the  old  man 
didn't  hitch  very  well  at  that  time  and  there  was 
talk  that  the  girl  was  of  a  different  stripe  from  the 
rest  of  the  family." 

There  was  a  question  which  Denning  wanted  to  ask, 
but  dared  not.  Hollingshead,  for  some  reason,  asked 
it  for  him. 

"  How  did  it  all  come  out  ?  Are  they  still  prosper- 
ing, or  did  the  boy  scatter  the  money  to  the  winds 
when  he  came  of  age,  the  way  they  generally  do?  " 

"  I  guess  they  are  prospering  all  right.  The  boy 
was  in  school  the  last  my  brother  knew  of  him  and 
seemed  a  steady  young  chap." 

The  perspiration  trickled  slowly  down  Denning' s 
face.  He  brushed  it  away  hastily  and  sprang  to  his 
feet,  thus  drawing  Mr.  Richards'  thoughts  from  his 
own  talk. 

149 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"What's  the  matter,  Mr.  Denning?  Aren't  you 
well?  You  look  pretty  white!"  he  exclaimed, 
rising  from  his  chair. 

" Nothing  serious;  just  an  attack  of  indigestion. 
I'll  take  a  whiskey  and  soda.  Come  in  and  have 
something,  gentlemen." 

He  led  the  way  to  his  private  office,  encountering  a 
stare  of  amazement  on  the  face  of  his  secretary  and 
questioning  glances  from  one  or  two  who  had  heard  Mr. 
Richards'  exclamation.  Going  to  a  set  of  cupboards 
in  the  wall,  he  unlocked  a  pair  of  doors  and  opening 
them,  set  out  wine,  brandy,  and  whiskey  for  his 
guests  to  take  their  choice,  while  he  hastily  prepared 
a  glass  for  himself.  Hollingshead  noting  how  his 
hands  trembled,  stationed  himself  between  Mr.  Rich- 
ards and  Denning,  with  his  back  to  the  latter. 

A  few  minutes  later,  Denning,  still  pale,  but 
steadied  and  braced  by  the  stimulant,  accompanied 
his  guests  to  the  door.  Both  he  and  Hollingshead 
were  unusually  cheerful. 

"Very  glad  Mr.  Richards,  you  are  going  to  locate 
in  the  West.  I  hope  to  see  you  often." 

"Thank  you,  sir;  you  probably  will.  Can't  say 
yet  just  where  I'll  locate,  but  likely  it  will  be  in  some 
mining  locality.  I  ain't  too  old  yet  to  know  a  good 
thing  when  I  see  it." 

"I'll  run  in  again,  Mac,  before  I  leave  town ;  this 
evening — or  to-morrow  morning,  perhaps  you're 
engaged  for  the  evening."  Hollingshead  looked  at 
his  watch  as  he  spoke  ;  somehow  he  could  not  bring 
his  eyes  to  meet  Denning' s. 

"No — yes,  come  to  think,  I  have  an  engagement 
to-night.  See  you  in  the  morning,  Dick." 

150 


ANOTHER  "RICHARDS  EPISODE" 

As  Denning  returned  to  his  private  office,  he  again 
encountered  his  secretary's  eyes,  this  time  a  faint 
smile  in  them. 

11  Feeling  better,  Mr.  Denning!  You  looked  bad 
there  for  a  few  minutes  ! " 

11  Yes,  better,  thank  you.  It  was  an  uncommonly 
bad  attack  of  indigestion.  I  ate  a  very  hearty  lunch. 
By  the  way,  Meyers,  I've  got  some  important  work 
on  hand,  I  will  be  engaged  all  the  afternoon." 

Meyers  bowed  in  assent  and  Denning  entered  his 
office  and  locked  the  door  behind  him. 

His  first  act  was  to  take  another  whiskey  and  soda. 
Then  dropping  into  his  chair,  he  folded  his  arms  upon 
his  desk  and  bowing  his  head  upon  them,  groaned  like 
a  creature  in  mortal  agony. 

For  a  while  he  could  not  even  think  connectedly. 
He  was  like  a  person  crushed  beneath  an  over- 
powering weight,  whose  every  movement  only  reveals 
anew  his  helplessness  and  adds  to  his  torture.  He 
was  crushed  beneath  an  overwhelming  weight  of 
shame,  remorse,  humiliation,  fear  ;  and  each  conscious 
thought  only  disclosed  new  cause  for  shame  and 
terror,  and  wrung  and  tortured  him  anew. 

At  last,  he  sat  up,  gazing  blankly  before  him  as  he 
tried  to  face  the  situation.  He  recalled  how,  but  a 
few  hours  before,  as  he  sat  at  that  desk,  the  past  had 
seemed  to  him  like  a  bit  of  another  man's  life,  or  like 
a  dream  ;  now,  that  and  the  present  seemed  the  only 
reality  and  all  that  had  intervened  appeared  unreal. 
Oh,  God  !  he  thought,  if  only  the  last  few  years  were 
but  a  dream,  for  in  the  light  of  what  he  had  heard, 
they  were  the  more  terrible  reality  of  the  two.  He 
thought  of  his  marriage — void  in  the  eyes  of  the  law  ; 

151 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

of  his  wife — a  wife  in  name  only,  the  unconscious 
victim  of  the  basest  fraud  that  could  be  perpetrated  on 
a  woman  ;  of  his  children — his  son  branded  as  illegiti- 
mate, and  Helen,  loving,  trustful,  dear  to  him  as  his 
own,  she  too,  so  long  as  she  was  supposed  his  child, 
would  bear  the  same  stigma,  should  the  truth  become 
known.  Denning  suddenly  felt  that  he  was  growing 
mad. 

He  sprang  to  his  feet.  Come  what  might,  he  must 
get  control  of  himself :  he  must  stop  this  awful  torrent 
of  thought  surging  through  his  brain,  and  he  knew  of 
but  one  way  to  do  it.  Going  hastily  to  the  cupboard, 
he  drank  deeply  ;  then  sinking  upon  a  couch  near  by, 
sank  soon  into  a  heavy  sleep. 


ise 


XVI 

THE  SWORD  OF  DAMOCLES 


WHEN  Denning  awoke,  the  last  rays  of  the  setting 
sun  were  lying  across  his  desk  ;  they  faded  even  while 
his  eyes  rested  on  them  with  a  dull,  perplexed  stare. 
The  utter  silence  of  the  building  oppressed  him  •  he 
gazed  about  him  in  bewilderment,  till  the  sight  of  the 
open  cupboard  recalled  his  last  conscious  act,  and  with 
it  the  memory  of  all  that  preceded  it.  For  an  instant 
he  felt  the  crushing  weight  again,  but  he  had,  in  a 
measure,  recovered  his  grip  on  himself  and  would  not 
go  down  under  it. 

The  sound  of  the  janitor  unlocking  the  door  to  the 
outer  room  recalled  him  to  the  hour.  He  rose,  closed 
and  locked  the  cupboard,  shut  his  desk,  released  the 
inner  lock  to  the  office  door  so  that  the  janitor  might 
enter,  and  taking  his  hat  and  coat,  slipped  quietly  out 
through  a  side  door,  into  the  corridor.  He  was  the 
only  passenger  in  the  elevator,  but  on  catching  sight 
of  his  own  face  in  the  mirror,  he  recoiled  as  from  a 
stranger,  not  recognizing  the  drawn,  haggard  features, 
the  sunken  eyes  encircled  by  dark  shadows. 

Pulling  his  hat  over  his  eyes,  he  hurried  to  his 
favorite  club,  meeting  few  acquaintances  on  the  way, 
for  the  people  thronging  the  streets  at  that  hour  were 
not  of  his  set.  Going  directly  to  his  apartments,  he 
took  a  bath,  finishing  with  a  cold  shower,  then  ordered 

153 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

dinner  served  in  his  sitting  room.  He  ate  little,  but 
drank  three  cups  of  black  coffee ;  then  tossing  a  liberal 
fee  to  the  waiter,  said  : 

"You  and  Brown  divide  that  between  you,  and  if 
any  one  inquires  for  me,  I'm  not  in.  I  don't  wish  to 
be  disturbed." 

Then  taking  the  pipe  to  which  he  always  resorted 
in  the  crises  of  his  career,  he  sat  down  to  calmly  face 
the  new  situation  and  its  complications.  And  his  first 
thought  was  of  his  lawful  wife,  Millicent  Denning. 
For  the  first  time  in  his  life,  a  feeling  of  respect 
mingled  with  the  anger  which  the  thought  of  her 
always  evoked.  In  the  very  fidelity  to  him  which 
angered  him,  in  the  assertion  and  maintenance  of  her 
own  rights  against  Heldt's  greed,  in  her  safe-guarding 
for  her  child  the  money  left  for  herself,  he  saw  revealed 
a  moral  sense  and  a  strength  of  character  which  he 
would  not  have  believed  she  possessed.  That  she,  ig- 
norant, unsophisticated,  childish,  as  she  had  appeared, 
had  succeeded  in  establishing  a  business,  however 
humble,  that  enabled  her  to  support  herself  and  child, 
leaving  untouched  the  sum  he  had  provided  for  her, 
appealed  to  his  business  instinct  and  won  his  appro- 
bation even  while  his  anger  toward  her  burned  more 
fiercely  than  ever  before  ;  for  to  her  failure  to  obtain 
a  divorce,  he  laid  the  entire  responsibility  for  the 
present  situation.  If  she  and  her  child — his  child  ! 
Strangely  enough,  the  thought  had  not  occurred  to 
him  !  His  first-born  son — no— he  writhed  at  the 
thought — his  only  legitimate  son  ! 

Denning  began  to  count  the  years  backward  ;  nearly 
eleven  years  in  Eockland,  three  in  Henley,  ten  in 
South  America, — he  had  a  son  nearly  twenty-three 

154 


THE  SWORD  OF  DAMOCLES 

years  old !  What  would  lie  be  like  ?  he  wondered. 
Would  he  resemble  the  Dennings,  or  old  Heldt  and 
his  sons  ?  He  recalled  Richards'  hint  regarding  Milli- 
cent's  birth  and,  with  a  bitter  realization  that  he  had 
stooped  even  lower  than  he  had  supposed,  dismissed 
the  subject. 

The  next  hour  he  devoted  to  a  consideration  of  the 
present  in  its  bearing  upon  the  future.  At  the  end  of 
that  time  he  had  decided  that  there  was  nothing  for 
him  to  do  but  continue  in  the  same  course  which  he 
had  marked  out  for  himself.  To  depart  from  that  in 
any  direction  would  only  be  likely  to  precipitate  the 
very  catastrophe  he  wished  to  avoid.  The  only  course 
was  to  let  sleeping  dogs  lie.  Millicent  probably  thought 
him  dead  by  this  time.  To  try  to  secure  a  divorce 
himself  would  only  bring  the  whole  story  into  more 
or  less  publicity  for  nothing ;  for  he  well  knew  a  di- 
vorce, if  secured,  would  be  of  no  avail  with  Marian. 
No,  there  was  no  other  way  but  to  go  on,  with  the 
consciousness  of  the  sword  suspended  over  his  head. 
WTien  the  blow  fell,  it  would  blot  out  his  home,  ruin 
his  social  position,  undermine  his  financial  standing 
aud  blast  his  political  hopes.  But,  perhaps  Fate  would 
be  merciful — who  could  tell  ? — and  he  had  already  won 
too  much  to  cast  it  aside. 

It  was  nearly  midnight  when  he  reached  home.  He 
was  astonished  when  he  suddenly  found  himself  creep- 
ing, like  a  thief,  noiselessly  and  stealthily  up  the  stairs. 

"Good  God!"  he  muttered,  lt A  coward  already 
and  in  my  own  house  !  "  and  assuming  his  usual  step, 
he  passed  through  the  hall  to  his  sitting  room.  A  fire 
was  burning  in  the  grate.  Denning  switched  on  the 
electric  light  and  drawing  a  large  chair  before  the  fire, 

155 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

sank  wearily  into  it ;  leaning  his  elbows  on  his  knees 
and  his  head  on  his  hands,  he  gazed  blankly  and 
gloomily  before  him.  Sitting  thus,  he  heard  a  light, 
familiar  knock.  He  lifted  his  head  and  in  response 
to  his  "  Come  in  "  Helen  entered.  She  wore  a  white 
cashmere  wrapper  and  her  waving  golden  hair  was 
loosely  braided,  while  stray,  curling  locks  formed  a 
faint  aureole  about  her  face. 

Denning  did  not  turn  his  head  or  speak,  but  when 
she  came  over  to  him  and  slipping  an  arm  about  his 
neck,  bent  over  him,  so  completely  did  he  trust  this 
child- woman,  that  he  looked  into  the  trustful,  loving 
brown  eyes  unflinchingly,  as  he  could  have  looked  into 
no  other  eyes  that  night. 

The  playful  greeting  she  would  have  given  him  died 
on  her  lips. 

' '  Daddy  dear  !  You  are  not  well  to-night.  What 
is  the  matter?" 

11 1  am  not  unwell,  Helen  ;  only  very  tired.  I  have 
had  a  hard  day." 

"Poor  boy!"  she  murmured,  drawing  his  head 
against  her  with  true  maternal  instinct,  while  her 
fingers  wandered  caressingly  through  his  hair. 

For  a  few  moments  neither  spoke,  for  Helen,  with 
her  womanly  wise  ways,  knew  by  a  sort  of  intuition 
that  he  did  not  irish  to  talk. 

After  a  while  he  said  :  "  This  is  rather  late  for  you, 
isn't  it,  Helen?" 

al  suppose  it  must  be,  though  I've  been  reading 
and  got  so  interested  I've  no  idea  what  time  it  is. 
You  see  I  thought  you  might  be  late  to-night  and  I 
read  to  keep  awake  till  you  came." 

"  Why  did  you  think  I  would  be  late  ?  " 
156 


THE  SWORD  OF  DAMOCLES 

11 1  met  Uncle  Dick  downtown  this  afternoon,  and 
when  I  asked  him  if  he  were  not  coming  up  to  dinner 
with  you,  he  said  he  didn't  expect  to  see  you  till 
to-morrow,  as  he  believed  you  would  be  engaged  all 
the  evening." 

"Yes,  I  told  him  I  had  an  engagement." 

"  I  tried  to  get  him  to  come  home  with  me  to  dinner, 
but  I  couldn't  coax  him.  I  thought  he  seemed  worried 
about  something." 

For  the  first  time,  Denning  wondered  how  much  of 
the  real  state  of  affairs  Hollingshead  suspected. 

"Well,  little  one," — unconsciously  he  used  the  old 
term  of  endearment  of  her  childish  days — "I  must  not 
keep  you  any  longer  ;  you  are  losing  your  beauty  sleep, 
you  know." 

11 1  don't  think  it  will  make  any  perceptible  differ- 
ence," she  laughed,  bending  over  him  for  a  good-night 
kiss. 

He  kissed  her  with  more  than  usual  warmth,  and 
again  the  brown  eyes  scanned  his  face. 

"Papa  mine,"  she  spoke  with  quaint  seriousness, 
"you  are  more  than  tired  to-night ;  you  are  worried." 

Denning  had  never  attempted  to  deceive  or  evade 
Helen.  She  was  so  truthful  herself,  so  unswerving  in 
her  loyalty  to  him  and  her  confidence  in  him,  that 
concealment  or  subterfuge  was  impossible,  and  became 
more  and  more  an  impossibility  as  she  advanced 
towards  womanhood.  So  now  he  replied  : 

"Yes,  Helen,  I  am  worried  to-night.  All  business 
men  have  their  worries  sometimes." 

"I  am  sorry,"  she  said  simply;  "I  hope  it  will 
come  out  all  right." 

"  God  knows  I  hope  so  ! "  he  exclaimed,  and  there 
157 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

was  that  in  his  tone  which  made  her  regard  him  with 
half-fearful  wonder. 

Suddenly,  moved  by  an  inexplicable  impulse,  he 
rose  and  drawing  her  to  him,  held  the  golden  head 
against  his  breast  as  though  it  helped  assuage  the  pain 
at  his  heart. 

"  Helen,  my  child,  I  have  tried  to  be  a  good  father 
to  you,  but  I  may  have  made  mistakes — we  are  all 
liable  to.  If  the  time  ever  comes,  Helen,  that  people 
turn  against  your  father  and  say  he  has  done  wrong, 
remember  that  he  loved  you  and  did  what  he  thought 
was  right,  and  don't  let  them  turn  you  from  him." 

The  woman  in  her  responded  at  once  to  his  appeal. 

"Turn  me  from  you,  papa!"  she  exclaimed,  "I 
would  stand  by  you  if  all  the  world  turned  against  you. 
Nobody,"  she  added  impetuously,  throwing  her  arms 
about  his  neck,  lt  nobody — not  mamma  herself — could 
turn  me  from  you." 

"Why  did  you  say  that?"  he  asked  in  surprise, 
for  she  had  given  expression  to  the  thought  in  his  own 
mind. 

' '  Because  you  spoke  as  though  you  might  be  accused 
of  wrong  doing  when  you  believed  you  had  done  right, 
and  in  that  case,  perhaps, — well,  it  might  be  doubtful 
which  side  mamma  would  take,  but" — she  smiled 
brightly  into  his  face — "there  wouldn't  be  any  doubt, 
you  know,  where  I'd  be." 

Only  a  little  thing,  but  it  was  the  first  ray  of  light 
in  the  darkness ;  a  thread  of  gold  that  led  the  hopeful 
side  of  the  man's  nature  to  reassert  itself.  He  held 
her  close  for  a  moment  in  silence  ;  then,  as  he  released 
her,  he  said  : 

"  Perhaps  we  will  never  need  to  recall  this — we  will 
158 


THE  SWORD  OF  DAMOCLES 

hope  so — but  I  know  you  will  not  forget.  Good-night. " 
When  she  had  gone,  he  sat  trying  to  conjecture  how 
much,  if  any,  of  his  secret  had  been  guessed  by  the 
three  present  when  Eichards  told  his  story.  Eichards 
himself  he  felt  had  no  suspicion  of  the  truth.  He  was 
rather  slow,  self-absorbed,  not  quickly  susceptible  to 
impressions  from  the  outside.  But  one  thing  Denning 
determined  upon  ;  Eichards  must  be  kept  in  the  West ; 
he  wanted  no  gossip  concerning  himself  retailed  in 
Alton,  calling  forth  some  incidental  recognition  of  his 
name  to  forge  a  link  between  the  past  and  present. 

Eegardiug  Meyers,  his  secretary,  he  felt  less  assured. 
He  was  a  comparatively  recent  acquaintance,  a  man 
who  had  been  useful  in  the  campaign  ;  a  small,  secretive, 
non-committal  man,  of  sallow  complexion  and  uncer- 
tain age ;  usually  silent,  but  who  could,  as  occasion 
required,  talk  for  an  indefinite  length  of  time  without 
saying  anything,  or  say  much,  with  little  or  no  talk. 
His  stare,  as  Denning  passed  him  for  a  whiskey  and 
soda,  and  his  faint  smile  afterward  might  mean  every- 
thing or  nothing.  At  all  events,  he  was  a  man  to  be 
handled  judiciously,  and  Denning  had  little  doubt  of 
his  own  abilities  in  that  direction. 

The  more  he  recalled  of  Hollingshead's  manner,  the 
more  convinced  Denning  became  that  he  had  compre- 
hended the  truth  of  the  situation.  He  felt  intuitively 
the  sympathy  of  the  big,  honest-hearted  fellow  who 
had  never  yet  failed  him,  and  there  came  to  Denning 
for  a  moment,  a  responsive  impulse  to  throw  himself 
upon  that  sympathy  and  take  his  old  chum  into  his 
confidence,  but  his  pride  throttled  it. 

Meanwhile,  alone  in  his  room  at  the  "Hotel  Eock- 
land,"  — the  first  night  he  had  spent  in  Eockland  except 

159 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

as  Denning' s  guest,  but  the  latter  in  his  self- absorption 
had  not  thought  of  that — Hollingshead  was  sadly  going 
over  the  story  which  he  had  pieced  together  from 
memory. 

He  had  been  paying  little  attention  to  what  Richards 
was  saying,  until  Denning' s  white,  beaded  face  and 
haunted  eyes  recalled  the  night  in  Shasta.  It  was  the 
same  look,  only  intensified,  the  apprehension  and 
dread  of  that  night  merged  into  actual  terror ;  as 
though  he  saw  now  what  then  he  had  feared  to  see. 
Suddenly  the  significance  of  Richards'  story  had  flashed 
upon  Hollingshead.  He  had  been  stunned,  staggered  ; 
but  he  had  seen  Denning' s  desperate  effort  to  gather 
himself,  to  keep  up  appearances,  and  his  only  thought 
had  been  to  help  him. 

But  in  the  solitude  of  his  room,  he  had  had  time  to 
look  his  discovery  full  in  the  face,  and  gradually  its 
features  assumed  a  sickening  familiarity.  The  change 
in  Denning  after  his  sojourn  in  the  mountains ;  his 
avoidance  of  old  scenes  and  associates  on  his  return 
from  South  America ;  his  appearance  that  night  at 
Shasta ;  his  years  of  close  application  to  business  5  his 
elation  after  Richards'  former  visit,  his  marriage  and 
the  changes  that  followed  ; — all  that  had  seemed  mys- 
terious or  contradictory  was  now  explained  by  this 
story  of  Richards'  and  corroborated  it. 

It  was  an  ugly  situation,  he  told  himself,  particu- 
larly for  a  man  in  Denning' s  position  ;  and  then  the 
nonchalant,  ease-loving  Hollingshead,  who  had  never 
known  an  hour  of  thought  or  care  for  himself,  walked 
the  room  till  past  midnight,  revolving  all  manner  of 
plans  for  his  friend's  relief.  At  last  his  face  bright- 
ened, his  steps  slackened,  then  stopped  altogether. 

160 


THE  SWORD  OF  DAMOCLES 

"By  Jove!  I've  got  it,"  he  soliloquized,  "That's 
the  scheme.  Situated  as  he  is,  he  can't  make  a  move. 
He  can't  do  anything  here,  and  if  he  went  east,  every 
one  would  think  it  had  to  do  with  business  or  politics 
and  it  would  be  in  the  papers,  so  people  would  be 
more  or  less  on  the  look  out.  But  no  one  pays  any 
attention  to  what  I  do.  It's  a  good  thing  sometimes  to 
be  a  person  of  no  consequence.  Gad,  but  I'm  tired  ! 
Three  hours!" — looking  at  his  watch — "and  the 
hardest  three  hours'  work  I  ever  did  in  my  life; 
experting  mines  wasn't  in  it  with  that  sort  of  work  ! " 

Hollingshead  went  to  sleep  assuring  himself  that  he 
could  extricate  Denning  from  his  difficulties  "like  a 
fairy  godmother."  He  was  no  less  firm  in  his  convic- 
tion the  following  morning  and  with  serene,  unshaken 
confidence,  partook  of  a  substantial  breakfast.  Not 
until  he  was  nearing  Denning' s  office  did  he  feel  any 
misgiving,  and  then  his  doubts  were  not  of  himself, 
but  of  Denning.  It  was  so  long  since  there  had  been 
anything  like  the  old,  frank,  confidential  relations 
between  them.  "Would  Denning  try  to  ignore  the 
events  of  the  preceding  day  as  he  had  ignored  that 
night  at  Shasta  ?  As  Hollingshead  sat  once  more  in 
the  waiting-room,  his  surroundings  bringing  the  occur- 
rence yet  more  vividly  to  mind,  it  seemed  impossible. 

It  was  with  quickened  pulse  and  heightened  color 
that  he  rose  and  approached  the  private  office  when 
his  name  was  called. 

"Hello,  Dick!  Good  morning.  Sorry  I  couldn't 
see  you  last  evening,  but  business  is  business,  you 
know." 

Hollingshead  gazed  at  Denning  in  astonishment  as 
the  latter  met  him  with  an  unconcerned  smile.     He 
ii  161 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

was  a  trifle  paler  than  usual,  but  there  was  nothing  in 
look  or  tone  to  tell  of  the  mental  strain  through  which 
he  had  passed.  Hollingshead  felt  repulsed,  and  was 
both  hurt  and  angered. 

"Keep  your  excuses  for  outsiders,  Mac,"  he  an- 
swered shortly  ;  "  they're  not  needed  between  us." 

If  Denning  felt  the  thrust,  he  gave  no  sign. 

For  half  an  hour  they  talked  briskly  of  business. 
Perhaps  a  more  critical  observer  than  Hollingshead 
might  have  detected  a  shade  of  defiance  in  Denning' s 
eyes,  a  touch  of  bravado  in  voice  and  smile.  At  last, 
in  conclusion,  after  speaking  of  Richards'  desire  to 
locate  in  the  West,  he  said  : 

"  Try  and  get  him  interested  in  some  of  your  prop- 
erties, Dick.  Get  him  to  settle  in  Henley  if  you  can , 
he  would  be  a  good  man  for  the  place." 

"Yes,  and  Henley  would  be  a  good  place  for  the 
man,"  the  other  rejoined  dryly,  rising  as  he  saw  the 
conference  was  ended  ;  "Is  that  all,  Mac ? ' ' 

"  Yes,  I  believe  so.     Are  you  going  back  to-day  !  " 

"  On  the  two-fifteen." 

"Sorry,  Dick,  that  you  couldn't  come  up  to  the 
house  on  this  trip.  Helen  was  speaking  of  you  last 
night." 

Hollingshead,  battling  silently  between  wounded 
pride  and  his  affection  for  his  old  churn,  made  no  reply, 
for  he  had  not  heard. 

He  turned,  facing  Denning,  his  hands  thrust  in  his 
pockets,  his  shoulders  thrown  aggressively  forward. 

"Macavoy  Denning,"  he  said,  with  brusque  deter- 
mination, "even  if  you've  nothing  more  to  say  to  me 
this  morning,  I've  something  to  say  to  you." 

Denning' s  glance  wavered  and  fell. 
162 


THE  SWORD  OF  DAMOCLES 

"I've  been  your  friend,  Mac,  for  more  than  twenty- 
five  years,  and  in  the  old  days  when  you  trusted  me, 
I  pulled  you  out  of  many  a  hole  ;  and  I'm  too  much  of 
a  friend  to  you  yet  to  see  you  in  the  hole  you're  in 
now  and  not  want  to  pull  you  out.  I  admire  your 
t  nerve' — on  others ;  it  won't  ' go'  with  me." 

Denning' s  face  grew  white  :  "  For  God's  sake,  Dick, 
stop  !  I  can't  bear  it." 

"  You  will  have  to  bear  it.  There's  been  enough  of 
silence  ;  too  much.  If  there  had  been  less  of  it,  you 
wouldn't  be  where  you  are  now.  It's  this  cursed  affair 
that  has  come  between  us,  from  the  time  you  came 
back  from  your  stay  in  the  mountains,  and  has  forced 
us  further  and  further  apart,  year  by  year,  and  this  is 
the  result." 

"  Don't  reproach  me,  Hollingshead,"  Denning  cried 
piteously  5  "Good  God!  haven't  I  enough  to  bear 
without  your  adding  to  it?  Can't  you  see  for  yourself 
that  I  couldn't  speak  of  this,  even  to  you  ?  " 

"You  couldn't !  Did  I  ever  go  back  on  you,  Mac, 
or  give  you  away  ?  " 

1  i  Never,  Dick  ;  but ' ' 

"And  if  you  had  trusted  me  with  this  affair  when 
you  came  back  from  the  mountains — or  even  on  our 
return  from  South  America — I'd  have  pulled  you 
through  in  good  shape  and  prevented  all  this.  Good 
heavens,  Mac  !  I'd  have  made  a  special  trip  home  from 
South  America  and  got  a  divorce  for  you." 

"I  don't  doubt  it.  I  don't  deny  that  I  took  the 
wrong  course  in  not  coming  to  you  in  the  first  place, 
but  there's  no  use  going  back  to  it ;  that's  all  past,  it 
won't  help  the  situation  now." 

"Yes,  there  is  use  in  going  back  to  it,  if  you'll 

163 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

only  learn  from  the  past  not  to  let  your  own  pig- 
headedness  stand  in  the  way  of  a  friend's  helping 
you." 

"But  there  is  no  help  as  the  case  stands  now, 
Hollingshead,  and  there's  no  use  talking  about  it.  It 
will  only " 

"Wait  till  you  hear  what  I  have  to  say,"  he 
interposed,  almost  sternly. 

Denning  rose  and  quietly  locked  the  door  into  the 
waiting  room  ;  then  resumed  his  seat.  Hollingshead 
remained  standing,  one  elbow  resting  on  the  desk  at 
his  side,  the  other  hand  still  in  his  pocket. 

"As  I  said  a  while  ago,  Mac,  I'm  too  much  your 
friend  to  see  you  where  you  are  and  go  back  without 
an  effort  to  help  you.  I  staid  up  half  the  night  study- 
ing over  the  matter.  I  know  it' s  the  worst  hole  you 
ever  got  into — about  the  worst  a  man  could  get  into — 
but  I'll  pull  you  out  yet,  if  you'll  let  me,  and  no  one, 
not  even  my  wife,  will  be  the  wiser." 

Denning  shook  his  head  :  "Don't  think  that  I  don't 
appreciate  your  kindness,  Hollingshead ;  I  do.  But 
I've  looked  the  matter  over  from  every  standpoint  and 
there  is  absolutely  nothing  that  I,  or  you,  or  any  one, 
can  do.  There  is  nothing  to  be  done  ;  there  is  no  use 
even  talking  about  it." 

"Mac,"  Hollingshead  pleaded,  "listen  to  me.  I 
understand  well  enough  that  you  can  do  nothing,  for 
obvious  reasons.  But  what  is  to  prevent  my  going 
east,  finding  that  woman  and  securing  a  divorce  for 
you?" 

"And  then — providing,  of  course,  you  succeeded  in 
securing  it — I  suppose  you  imagine  the  rest  would  be 
easy  ? "  Denning  said  with  a  bitter  smile. 

164 


THE  SWORD  OF  DAMOCLES 

"  It  would  rest  between  you  and  your — between  you 
and  Mrs.  Denning.  You  could  easily  go  away  and  be 
quietly  married  ;  either  somewhere  among  strangers, 
or  privately  among  friends." 

Denning  again  shook  his  head,  but  with  increased 
bitterness : 

"A  divorce,  if  you  got  it  for  me,  would  do  me  no 
good,  Hollingshead." 

"  What  do  you  mean,  Mac  ?  " 

"I  mean  that  Mrs.  Denning — Marian — is  opposed 
to  divorces  and  no  power  on  earth  would  induce  her  to 
go  against  what  she  calls  her  l  convictions. ' ' ' 

1 '  Convictions  be — hanged  !  She'  d  sacrifice  her  con- 
victions to  conventionality,  in  this  case." 

" That's  where  you're  wrong;  she  would  sacrifice 
me  and  my  prospects  first.  Dick  Hollingshead,  laying 
aside  the  question  of  divorce,  do  you  think  that  woman 
would  marry  me  knowing  this  affair?  You  don't  know 
her,  if  you  do  !" 

11  Heavens,  Mac!  she  must,  for  the  sake  of  the 
children — the  boy." 

"She  might  go  through  the  ceremony  for  the  boy's 
sake,  to  legitimize  him,  but  she  would  never  live 
with  me,  or  allow  the  children  to ;  think  what  that 
would  mean  to  a  man  in  my  position !  I  tell  you, 
Hollingshead,  there's  no  use  talking.  It's  not  to  be 
thought  of." 

"But  think  of  the  risk  you  run  in  continuing  this 
sort  of  life  :  on  the  one  hand,  the  whole  thing  is  likely 
to  come  out  some  day,  like  a  thunder  clap  out  of  a 
clear  sky  ;  on  the  other  hand,  suppose  you  were  to  die 
suddenly  and  an  investigation  be  made,  where  would 
your  wife  and  children  be  ? " 

165 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"I  know,  I  know  ;  I've  looked  at  the  matter  from 
every  side.  Here's  the  whole  thing  in  a  nutshell ;  it's 
a  risk,  as  you  say,  on  one  side,  and  a  dead  certainty  of 
misfortune  and  failure  on  the  other,  and  I'm  going  to 
take  the  risk.  It's  like  this,  Hollingshead  :  the  sword 
is  there,  suspended  over  me  5  whenever  it  falls — if  it 
does — it  means  death  ;  but  there's  a  bare  possibility 
that  it  may  not  fall,  and  so  long  as  there  is,  I'd  be  a 
fool  to  pull  it  down  on  my  own  head." 

Without  another  word,  Hollingshead  turned  and 
taking  his  hat,  prepared  to  leave  the  room.  Denning 
rose  hastily. 

"Here,  Dick,  don't  leave  that  way.  I  thank  you  for 
what  you  wanted  to  do.  I  won't  forget  it,  you  know." 

Hollingshead  took  the  proffered  hand:  "Mac,  I 
don't  like  the  course  you're  taking,  but  all  the  same 
I'm  your  friend.  If  the  time  ever  comes  that  I  can 
help  you — or  that  you  need  me — let  me  know.  I'll  be 
there." 


166 


XVII 

A  KNIGHT  ERRANT 


u  I'M  sorry,  Miss,  but  I  don't  think  we  can  make 
Chicago  in  time  for  the  'Limited.'  That  leaves 
Chicago  at  nine-fifteen  and  we're  forty-five  minutes 
behind  time ;  so  there's  no  use  in  your  telegraphing 
for  a  berth." 

"Is  there  no  possibility  of  your  making  up  time 
so  as  to  make  the  connection*  " 

"  Hardly  ;  we  shall  do  the  best  we  can,  but  it  isn't 
likely  we'll  pull  into  Chicago  before  nine-five,  and  I 
doubt  if  you  could  make  the  transfer  in  that  time." 

"Is  there  another  train  out  of  Chicago  to-night 
that  will  get  me  into  St.  Paul  in  time  for  the  west- 
bound express!  " 

"You  are  going  through  to  the  coast?" 

"Yes." 

"Let  me  see;  you  take  the  nine-twenty-five  at 
St.  Paul.  Yes,  you  can  take  the  ten-twenty  train  to- 
night ;  that  will  get  you  into  St.  Paul  in  time,  and 
not  being  so  crowded  as  the  <  Limited '  you  will  have 
no  difficulty  in  getting  a  berth  aboard  the  train." 
'"Thank  you." 

The  conductor  went  on  his  way  and  his  fair  inter- 
locutor sank  back  in  her  chair  with  a  little  sigh  of 
resignation. 

She  was  a  beautiful  girl  of  twenty-one  or  -two  ;  tall, 
slender,  with  a  skin  of  ivory  white  which  heightened 

167 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

the  vivid  scarlet  of  her  lips  and  intensified  the  blue 
tracery  of  veins  in  her  temples  and  the  rose  flush  of 
her  cheeks.  Her  finely  moulded  hands  were  of  the 
same  ivory  tint  with  delicate  blue  veins  and  finger 
tips  resembling  rose  petals.  An  unusually  firm  but 
sweet  mouth  gave  to  her  face,  in  repose,  a  dignity 
beyond  her  years,  but  the  eyes — the  laughing,  loving, 
trustful  brown  eyes — and  the  rebellious,  wavy,  golden 
hair  were  still  those  of  the  little  maiden  whom  Den- 
ning had  met  at  Hampton  Springs  some  sixteen  years 
before. 

Helen  Denning  had  graduated  from  an  Eastern 
school  the  preceding  year  and  was  now  returning  from 
a  visit  at  the  home  of  her  college  chum.  The  day's 
ride  had  been  monotonous  and  wearisome  and  she  was 
glad  when,  an  hour  or  two  later,  they  came  out  upon 
the  broad,  level  plain  across  which  the  train  would 
make  its  "home  run  "  to  Chicago. 

Idly  she  watched  the  distant  trains  speeding  from 
all  points  of  the  compass  towards  a  common  goal, 
their  courses  almost  imperceptibly  converging  like  the 
spokes  of  an  enormous  wheel  towards  its  hub.  Grad- 
ually the  twilight  deepened  till  she  could  only  distin- 
guish them  by  their  lights,  as  they  crawled,  like  fiery 
serpents,  through  the  dusky  gloom.  Then,  save  for 
an  occasional  glimpse  of  twinkling  lights,  they  disap- 
peared, one  by  one,  swallowed  up  in  the  darkness  ;  all 
but  one,  which  grew  brighter  and  more  distinct. 

She  watched  it  listlessly  till,  suddenly  aware  that 
the  other  passengers  were  interested  in  it  and  noting 
their  own  increased  speed,  she  discovered  that  the  two 
trains  were  racing  and  her  interest  was  thoroughly 
aroused. 

168 


A  KNIGHT  ERRANT 

On  and  on  rushed  the  trains  at  constantly  acceler- 
ating speed,  the  rival  sometimes  slightly  in  the  lead, 
then  falling  slightly  to  the  rear,  the  convergency  of 
their  lines  drawing  them  nearer  to  each  other.  Men 
were  betting,  women  were  laughing  and  waving  hand- 
kerchiefs and  newspapers  through  hastily  opened  win- 
dows, while  from  the  windows  of  the  rival  train  could 
be  seen  similar  demonstrations. 

Both  trains  rushed  onward  at  terrific  speed  but 
neither  gained  perceptibly  on  the  other  till,  like  some 
sentient  creature,  their  own  train  seemed  suddenly  to 
gather  itself  for  a  final  effort.  A  shuddering  vibration 
was  felt,  silencing  the  laughter  as  a  thrill  of  appre- 
hension swept  through  the  crowd ;  but  the  next  instant 
a  prolonged  cheer  burst  forth  as  their  train  was  seen 
to  be  steadily  pulling  away  from  its  rival.  For  a  few 
moments  it  continued  to  plunge  along,  rocking  and 
swaying  from  side  to  side ;  then  lights  began  to  flash 
ahead  and  the  train  slackened  to  its  normal  speed ; 
they  were  approaching  the  outskirts  of  Chicago. 

As  the  result  of  this  rivalry,  Helen  caught  the 
"Limited."  It  was  moving  out  of  the  station  as  she 
followed  the  porter  into  the  sleeper.  He  deposited 
her  travelling  bags  in  the  aisle  and  indicated  a  vacant 
seat  beside  a  woman  in  a  section  piled  high  with 
luggage,  which  she  took,  ignoring  the  woman's  super- 
cilious stare  and  speculating  regarding  her  own  pros- 
pects for  the  night.  They  did  not  appear  flattering. 
Every  section  was  occupied  and  the  usual  number  of 
women  in  various  stages  of  dishabille  were  staggering 
down  the  aisle,  clutching  whatever  came  in  their  way 
in  their  frantic  efforts  to  maintain  their  equilibrium. 
Men  were  sauntering  in  from  the  smoker,  dropping 

169 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

into  available  corners  to  read  their  papers  or  doze 
while  waiting  for  their  berths  to  be  made  ready.  She 
was  roused  from  her  thoughts  by  the  conductor  who 
suddenly  paused  beside  her. 

"Tickets,"  he  said  gruffly. 

"  I  had  no  opportunity  to  get  a  ticket,  our  train  was 
so  late,"  she  replied,  opening  her  purse,  u  can  you  give 
me  a  desirable  berth  ?  " 

"  You'  11  have  to  take  what  you  can  get.  There's 
nothing  left  but  upper  berths,  and  only  three  of 
them." 

"An  upper  berth!"  she  exclaimed  in  dismay, 
"I  wouldn't  take  an  upper  berth  under  any 
consideration." 

11  If  you  wanted  a  lower  berth  you  should  have  tele- 
graphed ahead,"  he  replied  shortly. 

"  But  I've  told  you  our  train  was  so  late  we  had  no 
hope  of  making  connection.  The  conductor  told  me 
there  was  no  use  in  telegraphing." 

"I've  nothing  to  do  about  that.  Do  you  want  a 
berth?" 

"I'll  take  a  stateroom." 

"Staterooms  are  taken.  You'll  have  to  take  an 
upper  berth  or  nothing.  Several  ladies  have  taken 
upper  berths  to-night." 

*The  discussion  was  attracting  the  attention  of  those 
about  her.  She  was  conscious  that  a  gentleman  had 
paused  for  an  instant  in  the  aisle  and  then  passed  on. 
The  conductor  was  so  rude  and  offensive  that  Helen 
felt  humiliated,  embarrassed. 

"Send  the  porter  to  take  my  luggage  into  one  of  the 
day  coaches,"  she  said  coldly. 

"  The  coaches  are  crowded  ;  you'll  find  them  very 
170 


A  KNIGHT  ERRANT 

uncomfortable.    An  upper  berth  is  usually  considered 
preferable  to  sitting  up  all  night." 

His  sneer  was  insufferable  ;  her  cheeks  flamed. 

"  You  heard  my  orders." 

He  turned  abruptly,  without  speaking  ;  some  one  fur- 
ther down  the  aisle  was  signalling  to  him  and  he  left  her. 

She  ignored  the  curious  glances  «ast  in  her  direction 
while  she  waited  for  the  porter.  It  was  the  conductor 
who  again  appeared. 

"  You  can  have  a  lower  berth, ' '  he  said ;  ' '  the  gentle- 
man in  number  nine  will  vacate  and  take  an  upper 
berth  himself." 

His  manner  of  communicating  another's  kindness 
was  so  offensive  that  she  felt  even  more  humiliated. 
Her  eyes  flashed  as  she  answered  coldly  and  clearly  : 

"I'll  not  deprive  the  gentleman  of  his  berth  ;  send 
the  porter  as  I  ordered." 

11 1  irill  consider  it  a  favor  if  you  will  occupy 
number  nine,"  said  a  voice  over  the  conductor's 
shoulder.  The  tone  was  low,  but  possessed  a  sympa- 
thetic, pleasing  quality.  She  looked  into  the  face 
and  recognized  the  speaker  as  the  gentleman  who  had 
stopped  in  passing  a  few  minutes  earlier.  The 
conductor  stepped  aside  and  he  came  nearer. 

"I  understand  your  predicament,"  he  said,  smiling 
slightly,  "  for  I  came  near  being  in  the  same  myself. 
My  train  was  so  late  it  was  doubtful  about  making 
the  connection,  but  I  took  the  benefit  of  the  doubt. 
Won't  you  favor  me  by  following  my  suggestion? " 

She  smiled,  his  dark  eyes  seeming  to  hold  hers  by  a 
sort  of  spell :  "It  seems  like  taking  a  base  advantage 
of  you,"  she  replied. 

"Not  at  all.     I  shall  be  in  the  smoker  till  a  late 
171 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

hour,  and  it  is  out  of  the  question  for  you  to  think  of 
spending  the  night  in  one  of  the  coaches." 

"I  thank  you  very  much,"  she  said  slowly, 
conscious  that  the  smoker  had  been  invented  for  the 
occasion. 

"And  I  thank  you.  Good  night,"  he  answered,  so 
low  the  words  could  not  reach  the  conductor's  ears, 
and  was  gone  before  she  could  say  more. 

The  following  morning,  Helen  found  her  impressions 
concerning  her  "knight  errant" — as  she  mentally 
designated  him — elusive  and  vague.  She  recalled  only 
a  pale  face  with  dark  hair  and  eyes,  the  latter  seeming 
to  possess  an  unusual  power  of  attraction,  though  she 
could  not  now  determine  wherein  it  lay.  She  was 
naturally  desirous  to  meet  him  again,  but  he  did  not 
appear  until  they  were  nearing  St.  Paul.  Amid  the 
confusion  incident  to  the  arrival  of  a  train  at  its  ter- 
minus, he  entered,  newspaper  in  hand,  and  stopping 
near  his  luggage  which  had  been  placed  in  a  newly 
vacated  section,  stood  quietly  reading  while  the  porter 
plied  his  whisk  broom  and  brushes.  She  improved 
the  time  to  observe  him  closely.  His  faco  was  smooth 
shaven  and  white,  with  the  blue-black  shade  on  cheek 
and  chin  which  indicates  a  naturally  heavy  beard. 
His  hair  was  of  the  same  blue-black  tint ;  thick,  but 
fine  and  straight.  He  was  tall,  well  built,  with  a  bear- 
ing that  indicated  self-reliance  and  a  strong  individu- 
ality. He  dismissed  the  porter  with  a  fee,  then  glanc- 
ing in  Helen's  direction  and  catching  her  look  of  recog- 
nition, he  lifted  his  hat  and  came  forward  with  a  smile. 

"I  hope  you  rested  well,"  he  said. 

"Very  well,  thanks  to  your  courtesy." 

11  Please  don't  mention  it." 
172 


A  KNIGHT  ERRANT 

"  But  I  must,  you  know,  for  I  know  I  was  not  prop- 
erly grateful  last  night ;  that  conductor  had  exasperated 
me  so." 

He  smiled  at  some  recollection.  "  There  is  no  need 
for  thanks  ;  it  was  a  pleasure  for  me,  but  one  which  I 
think  you  made  me  come  near  losing.  I  really  believe 
you  would  have  refused  my  suggestion  if  I  had  not 
intervened  personally." 

"Quite  likely ;  it  was  awfully  childish  of  me,  but 
coming  through  him,  after  all  his  rudeness,  I  couldn't 
accept  it.  It  seemed  quite  another  thing  when  you 
made  it." 

11 1  appreciated  your  feelings  and  that  is  my  apology 
for  what  might  otherwise  have  seemed  impertinent." 

"No  apology  is  needed  on  your  part,"  she  assured 
him. 

He  was  looking  into  her  face  as  he  spoke ;  something 
there  held  his  gaze  longer  than  he  was  aware,  and 
again  she  felt  the  peculiarly  attractive  power  of  his 
eyes.  They  too,  were  dark  with  the  same  elusive  blue 
shade ;  a  deep  steel-blue,  clear,  penetrating,  but  with 
a  light  in  them  that  softened  their  glance  and  that 
diffused  itself  through  his  face  as  he  spoke  or  smiled. 

Meanwhile,  the  train  had  slackened  ;  the  porter  was 
hurrying  forward  the  luggage,  and  with  a  courteous 
salute,  but  with  something  like  regret  in  his  eyes,  the 
stranger  left  her  and  passed  out  of  the  car. 

A  moment  later  she  followed  leisurely,  with  a  faint, 
undefined  sense  of  disappointment,  trying  to  recall  a 
quotation  regarding  "Ships  that  pass  in  the  night" 
and  pensively  reflecting  that  "he  would  have  been 
such  a  delightful  travelling  companion." 

Several  hours  later,  Helen,  seated  in  one  of  the 
173 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Pullman  coaches  in  the  long  train  of  the  west-bound 
express,  found  the  time  beginning  to  drag  heavily. 
There  were  comparatively  few  passengers  in  the 
sleeper,  though  a  number  of  seats  were  filled  with 
coats  and  bags,  the  owners  of  which  had  not  yet  ap- 
peared. She  noted  idly  in  the  seat  across  the  aisle  a 
suit-case  with  the  initials  T.  M.  D.,  the  same  as  her 
father's ;  then  straightway  forgot  it.  She  skimmed 
through  a  newspaper  from  the  coast.  Among  its  politi- 
cal items  she  found  a  paragraph  concerning  her  father 
and  his  probable  nomination  for  governor  of  his 
State,  and  for  a  while  thereafter,  she  sat,  girl-like, 
absorbed  in  day  dreams  of  the  future  in  the  event  of 
his  election. 

They  would  have  to  move  to  the  capital,  of  course. 
She  was  already  familiar  with  the  town,  having  spent 
several  weeks  there  during  the  seasons  of  the  legisla- 
ture while  her  father  had  served  as  State  senator.  She 
recalled  the  gubernatorial  mansion  on  the  hill  where 
she  had  frequently  been  a  guest ;  it  was  not  nearly  so 
pleasant  as  their  home  in  Eockland,  but  it  would  mean 
still  higher  success  for  her  father,  for  he  had  confided 
to  her  his  plans  and  she  knew  that  he  had  consented 
to  accept  the  nomination  for  governor  only  upon  the 
condition  that  at  the  next  session  of  the  State  legis- 
lature he  was  to  be  elected  United  States  senator.  He 
regarded  it  as  practically  " settled  ; ''  a  "  sure  thing  " 
once  he  was  elected  governor,  and  Helen  found  herself 
looking  forward  to  life  in  "Washington — less  than 
two  years  away,  in  all  probability — with  pleasant 
anticipations. 

But  at  length  even  those  air  castles  palled.  She 
drew  a  book  from,  one  of  her  bags  and  began  to  read, 

174 


A  KNIGHT  ERRANT 

but  the  motion  of  the  car  combined  with  the  monoto- 
nous rhythm  of  the  wheels  made  her  drowsy ;  her 
head  gradually  sank  upon  the  pillow,  till  she  fell 
asleep,  one  hand  beneath  her  cheek,  the  other  still 
resting  on  the  open  page  of  the  book  in  her  lap. 

She  made  a  charming  picture  ;  the  slightly  dishev- 
elled golden  hair  curling  about  her  ears  and  temples, 
and  the  long  lashes  of  the  same  hue  resting  on  the 
flushed  cheeks.  There  were  a  number  who,  as  they 
passed,  regarded  her  smilingly  ;  there  was  one  who 
paused  in  sheer  astonishment,  his  face  lighting  with 
genuine  pleasure  ;  who  after  a  lingering  glance,  seated 
himself  across  the  aisle,  discreetly  turning  his  back 
toward  the  fair  sleeper. 

When  Helen  awoke,  the  train  had  entered  upon  the 
open,  rolling  prairie  and  the  lengthened  shadows 
falling  athwart  the  plain  told  that  it  was  late  in  the 
afternoon.  With  sundry  pats  and  pulls,  she  deftly 
adjusted  hair  and  gown,  at  the  same  time  taking 
mental  notes  of  her  surroundings.  The  back,  so  pro- 
nouncedly turned  toward  her,  at  once  arrested  her 
attention.  There  was  something  half  familiar  in  the 
broad,  square  shoulders,  in  the  poise  of  the  head  and 
in  that  sloe-black  hair.  She  glanced  about  the  car, 
noting  indifferently  the  changes  that  had  taken  place, 
but  drawn  by  some  inexplicable  attraction,  her  eyes 
returned  again  and  again  to  the  figure  across  the  aisle, 
each  time  with  an  increasing  sense  of  familiarity. 
Could  it  be? — she  wondered;  it  couldn't,  of  course, 
and  yet 

She  reopened  her  book,  but  did  not  become  so  ab- 
sorbed in  it  as  to  be  utterly  regardless  of  her  neighbor's 
movements.  A  sidelong  glance  at  his  profile,  as  he 

175 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

bent  forward  to  re-arrange  his  coat  and  suit-case,  sat- 
isfied her  as  to  his  identity,  and  a  few  moments  later, 
when  he  moved  to  the  opposite  seat,  facing  her,  their 
eyes  met  in  a  smile  of  mutual  recognition,  in  which 
there  was  evident  pleasure  on  both  sides,  but  no  trace 
of  surprise. 

Supper  was  announced  soon,  and  on  their  return 
from  the  dining  car  they  chatted  pleasantly  for  an  hour 
or  so.  Helen  found  him  an  agreeable  talker,  but  rather 
reserved,  and  though  she  secretly  hoped  to  renew  the 
acquaintance  the  next  morning,  she  felt  slight  curi- 
osity as  to  what  he  would  do  and  left  the  initiative  to 
him. 

It  was  soon  evident  that  he  had  no  intention  of 
taking  advantage  of  their  incidental  meeting  on  the 
11  Limited  "  to  force  his  acquaintance  upon  her  ;  but  to 
a  young  lady  of  penetration  and  discernment,  it  was 
equally  evident  that  his  reserve  was  not  due  to  indif- 
ference. He  was  only  "biding  his  time,"  and  with 
secret  amusement,  Helen  quietly  watched  and  waited. 
Meantime,  she  found  herself  studying  his  face  with  an 
increasingly  perplexed  sense  of  familiarity  in  its  lines, 
when  in  repose  ;  yet  faint,  elusive,  vanishing  the  in- 
stant that  he  spoke  or  smiled.  And  not  infrequently 
she  found  his  eyes  fixed  upon  her  face,  but  with  an 
almost  reminiscent  look  that  saved  his  gaze  from 
anything  like  discourtesy. 

At  noon  of  the  second  day,  as  the  train  was  winding 
its  way  upward  through  the  mountain  ranges,  he 
entered  the  dining  car  while  Helen  was  at  dinner,  and 
seeing  her  seated  alone,  came  over  to  her  table  with  a 
smile  that  sought  and  obtained  permission  to  be  her 
vis-d-vis. 

176 


A  KNIGHT  ERRANT 

"This  serves  to  break  the  monotony  to  a  certain 
extent,"  he  said,  taking  the  menu  handed  him  by  the 
waiter,  but  looking  at  Helen  ;  "  I  imagine  it  is  more 
ennui  than  hunger  that  drives  the  majority  of  us  to  the 
dining  car." 

' l  Then  I  must  be  in  the  minority, ' '  she  laughed,  l '  for 
I  am  positively  hungry." 

11 1  wish  I  might  say  the  same,"  he  rejoined,  glancing 
indifferently  through  the  card  in  his  hand. 

In  the  uncompromising  light  of  noonday  and  with 
only  the  width  of  the  table  between  them,  Helen  dis- 
covered the  man  opposite  her  to  be  older  than  she  had 
at  first  supposed.  He  looked  to  be  about  thirty  and 
certain  preconceptions  she  had  formed  regarding  him, 
underwent  a  slight  modification. 

Having  given  his  order,  his  eyes  again  sought  hers, 
with  their  grave,  slow  smile,  which  nevertheless  lighted 
his  face,  rendering  it  attractive,  but  dispelling  the 
haunting  sense  of  familiarity. 

11 1  looked  in  upon  you  once  this  morning,"  he  said, 
"intending  to  ask  if  you  would  care  to  go  back  into 
the  observation  car,  but  you  were  so  absorbed  in  a  book 
I  concluded  not  to  interrupt." 

"Oh,  but  the  book  would  keep,  you  know!"  she 
exclaimed,  genuine  regret  in  her  tone. 

"So  will  the  scenic  attractions,  at  our  present  rate 
of  speed,"  he  retorted,  laughing ;  "one  break-down  and 
three  hot  boxes  so  far  to-day.  We'  re  nearly  four  hours 
behind  time  already  ;  we'll  be  a  week  getting  through 
at  this  rate." 

"  But  we  will  make  up  lost  time  on  the  other  side 
of  the  range  ;  down-grade,  you  know.  Are  you  going 
through  to  the  coast  ?  " 

12  177 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"I  am,"  he  replied,  with  the  least  possible 
hesitation. 

Helen  was  on  the  point  of  saying,  "So  am  I,"  and 
naming  her  destination,  but  the  slight  reserve  with 
which  he  had  answered  her  query,  checked  her  and 
she  changed  the  subject. 

At  his  suggestion,  on  leaving  the  table,  they  made 
their  way  to  the  rear  platform  of  the  observation  car, 
where  he  arranged  a  comfortable  seat  for  Helen,  taking 
the  outer  and  more  exposed  position  himself. 

Under  the  spell  of  the  gray  peaks  towering  majesti- 
cally about  them,  sometimes  graciously  bending  above 
them  as  they  passed  and  always  turning  their  faces  of 
calm,  solemn  beauty  toward  them,  they  were  drawn 
by  a  subtle  bond  nearer  to  each  other.  Their  talk  was 
impersonal, — Helen  thought  she  detected  on  his  part 
a  studied  avoidance  of  personal  subjects — yet  each  felt 
irresistibly  attracted  toward  the  other  by  an  inexplic- 
able tie  which  seemed  to  come  from  the  shadowy 
past. 

The  following  day  found  them  on  the  other  side  of 
the  range,  where,  as  Helen  had  predicted,  it  soon 
became  evident  that  an  effort  was  being  made  to  re- 
cover lost  time.  They  had,  after  breakfast,  gone  once 
more  to  the  rear  platform  of  the  observation  car,  to 
take  a  farewell  look  at  the  mountains,  now  extending 
above  and  behind  them,  and  the  rolling  and  pitching 
of  the  car,  as  it  bounded  from  side  to  side  of  the  con- 
stantly winding  road,  grew  more  noticeable,  moment 
by  moment. 

They  sat  for  a  while,  gazing  silently  upon  the  peaks 
rapidly  receding  in  the  distance. 

"Do  you  know,"  said  Helen,  breaking  the  silence 
178 


A  KNIGHT  ERRANT 

at  last,  "I  can't  realize  tliat  we  are  leaving  them 
it  seems  as  though,  they  were  drawing  away  from 
us." 

11 1  have  the  same  impression,"  her  companion  re- 
plied, "  it  is  an  optical  illusion  of  frequent  occurrence 
on  railroad  trains." 

She  shook  her  head  with  a  little  frown  :  l '  Now  why 
do  you  spoil  my  poetic  fancies  with  anything  so  prosaic 
as  that  ?  Look  at  them  in  their  sombre  robes,  like  a 
company  of  monks,  silent  and  solemn,  worshipful. 
Yesterday  they  came  out  to  meet  us  and  their  grim 
faces  relaxed  into  smiles  as  they  bent  over  us  in  wel- 
come. Now,  they  are  bidding  us  farewell  and  going 
back  to  their  splendid  isolation.  I  can  almost  see  them 
crossing  themselves  under  their  gray  cloaks." 

A  sudden  lurch  of  the  car  would  have  thrown  her 
to  the  floor  as  she  finished  speaking,  had  not  her 
companion  caught  and  steadied  her. 

"  A  very  pretty  conceit, ' '  he  answered,  smiling,  l l  but 
I  would  suggest  moving  to  a  safer  place  before  you 
weave  any  more  fancies." 

"  Oh,  I  was  only  carried  away  by  the  fervor  of  my 
imagination,"  she  laughed,  but  another  roll  in  the 
opposite  direction  seconded  his  suggestion  so  forcibly 
that  Helen  made  no  further  demur. 

1 1  "We  can  have  almost  as  good  a  view  here, ' '  she  said, 
when  he  had  closed  the  door  after  stepping  within  the 
car. 

u  Pardon  me,"  he  laid  a  detaining  hand  on  her 
shoulder  as  she  was  about  to  seat  herself,  u  I  think  we 
had  better  return  to  our  own  car.  I  don't  consider  this 
safe." 

She  regarded  him  with  frank  amazement :    "  Why, 
179 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

what  possible  danger  can  there  be  here  ? ' '  she  exclaimed 
incredulously. 

"I  will  explain  later,"  he  replied,  with  one  of  his 
grave  smiles ;  but  it  was  the  look  in  his  eyes  that  she 
obeyed,  more  than  his  words  or  the  gently  impelling 
pressure  of  his  hand  on  her  shoulder,  as  she  turned 
and  passed  silently  forward  while  he  followed  closely, 
steadying  her  as  the  train  rocked  and  swayed  from  side 
to  side.  Two  cars  intervened  between  the  observation 
car  and  their  own.  When  Helen  at  last  sank,  stagger- 
ing, into  her  seat,  she  exclaimed  with  a  sigh  of  relief : 

11  Thank  you  so  much  !  I  never  could  have  made  that 
trip  alone." 

"It  would  have  been  unwise  to  attempt  it,"  he  re- 
plied, seating  himself  beside  her  ;  ' '  the  train  is  run- 
ning at  terrific  speed  and  rounding  these  curves 
without  any  regard  to  signals." 

"  Why,  they  surely  would  not  do  that ! " 

"It  is  what  they  are  doing.  We  flashed  past  a 
signal  to  slow  down  back  there  without  slackening  a 
particle.  That  was  why  I  insisted  on  returning  to  this 
car.  If  anything  were  to  happen,  the  rear  cars  would 
suffer  most." 

' ( Do  you  think  there  is  any  real  danger  ? ' '  she  asked, 
her  face  paling  slightly. 

"There  is  always  danger  where  people  take  such 
risks;  but" — he  smiled  into  the  anxious  eyes — "we 
pass  through  a  great  many  dangers  that  we  are  uncon- 
scious of,  unharmed,  and  a  consciousness  of  danger 
doesn't  increase  it,  but  only  prepares  us  the  better  to 
meet  it." 

"At  any  rate,"  she  exclaimed  impulsively,  "Fm 
glad  I'm  not  alone.  I  feel  much  safer  with  you.  I've 

180 


A  KNIGHT  ERRANT 

regarded  you  as  a  sort  of  knight  errant  ever  since  I 
met  you  on  the  l  Limited,'  "  she  added,  smiling. 

' '  Thank  you  ;  should  the  need  for  one  arise,  I  hope 
I  may  prove  myself  worthy  to  be  so  regarded  by 
you." 

The  words  in  themselves  were  not  particularly  signi- 
ficant, but  the  way  in  which  he  said  them  caused  her 
pulses  to  quicken  unaccountably  and  sent  the  blood 
rioting  through  her  veins.  She  wondered  at  herself, 
at  him  ;  how  could  this  stranger  by  his  looks,  his  tones, 
move  her  as  no  one  yet — not  even  the  foster  father 
whom  she  loved  so  deeply — had  ever  moved  her  ? 

When  the  waiter  announced  dinner,  Helen  looked 
up  in  astonishment. 

"Dinner  !  It  isn't  possible  !  Where  has  the  morn- 
ing gone?  Father  Time  must  be  racing  against 
himself  to-day,"  she  exclaimed. 

"The  morning  has  passed  swiftly,  hasn't  it?"  he 
replied,  taking  out  his  watch,  as  their  eyes  met  in  a 
smile  of  mutual  surprise.  He  was  leaning  slightly 
toward  her  and  as  he  opened  the  watch — which  she  had 
already  noted  as  being  of  peculiar  form  and  design — 
she  saw  the  interior  of  the  case  for  the  first  time.  She 
had  observed  that  it  was  of  unusual  thickness ;  now 
she  saw  the  cause.  Opposite  the  dial  was  a  small,  but 
beautifully  painted,  portrait  of  a  woman's  face.  So 
much  she  saw,  no  more ;  he  closed  the  watch  and 
turned  to  speak  to  her,  but  paused,  checked  by  what 
he  saw  in  her  face,  though  she  was  not  looking  at  him. 
For  an  instant,  Helen  experienced  the  sensation  of  one 
who  has  received  an  unexpected  blow,  and  though  she 
set  herself  to  reason  against  it,  the  effect  remained. 
In  vain  she  reflected  that  this  stranger,  so  many  years 

181 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

her  senior,  was  in  all  probability  a  married  man,  for  as 
she  did  so,  she  recalled  glances  and  tones  that  refuted 
the  supposition — unless  he  were  dishonorable,  and  this 
she  could  not  bring  herself  to  believe. 

Meanwhile  her  companion,  quick  to  note  the  subtle 
change  in  her  manner  and  equally  quick  to  discern  its 
cause,  was  undergoing  a  sharp  mental  struggle.  There 
were  reasons  for  his  reserve  concerning  himself;  for 
another's  sake,  he  was  guarding  his  own  identity,  but 
this  beautiful  girl  who  trusted  him  had  appealed  to 
him  as  no  one  had  ever  done,  and  he  had  tried,  deli- 
cately and  unobtrusively,  to  make  her  aware  of  his 
interest  in  her  ;  how  would  she  regard  him  now  I  In 
a  moment  his  decision  was  taken  ;  he  would  risk 
anything  rather  than  forfeit  her  respect. 

Helen,  with  face  slightly  averted,  heard  the  click  of 
the  watch-case,  as  he  again  opened  it ;  then  she  heard 
his  voice  close  to  her  ear  : 

"  May  I  show  you  my  mother's  portrait!  " 

She  did  not  start,  but  turned  her  head  slowly,  her 
eyes  meeting  his  searchingly  for  an  instant. 

11  Your  mother's?  I  should  like  to  see  it,"  she  an- 
swered with  perfect  composure  ;  but  as  her  eyes  fell  on 
the  portrait  her  little  air  of  indifference  vanished  and 
she  exclaimed  : 

"  Oh,  how  sweet !   Isn't  she  dear  ! " 

It  was  that  of  a  woman  in  early  middle  age,  but  with 
the  rounded  contour,  the  upward  curving  mouth  and 
something  of  the  unsullied  sweetness  and  innocence  of 
a  child's  face.  The  eyes  were  especially  beautiful ; 
large  brown  eyes,  with  a  look  of  wistful  tenderness  in 
their  depths. 

She  looked  from  the  portrait  to  his  face  :  "  And  you 
182 


A  KNIGHT  ERRANT 

are  not  like  her  at  all ;  unless,"  she  hesitated,  suddenly 
conscious  of  the  tender  appeal  in  the  dark  eyes  fixed 
on  her  face,  ' '  yes,  your  expression  at  times  is  like  hers. 
Your  face  changes  wonderfully  when  you  smile ; 
at  other  times  you  seem  to  remind  me  of  some  one. 
But  her  face  is  beautiful ;  she  must  be  a  lovely 
woman. " 

He  looked  at  the  portrait  a  moment  before  replying 
reverently  :  "  She  was  one  of  the  best  women  that  ever 
lived." 

"'Was'?"  Helen  repeated  gently  with  upward 
inflection. 

He  bowed  silently,  then  added,  "I  lost  her  less  than 
six  weeks  ago." 

Helen's  quick  sympathy  was  aroused  but  she  was 
at  loss  how  to  express  it.  Sorrow  was  an  experience 
unknown  in  her  life  and  she  knew  not  what  to  say. 
Moved  by  a  sudden  impulse,  she  laid  her  hand 
lightly  on  his  arm,  scarcely  knowing  what  she  did  till 
his  hand  closed  over  hers,  holding  it  in  a  firm  clasp. 
Mentally  she  was  contrasting  his  situation  with  her 
own. 

"  And  your  father,"  she  asked,  half  timidly,  "  is  he 
living?  " 

A  change  came  over  his  face ;  the  tenderness 
vanished,  leaving  it  set  and  stern,  and  again  she  saw 
the  puzzling,  elusive  likeness. 

"  Yes,"  he  replied  slowly,  "  he  is  living,  but — I  have 
never  seen  him." 

"Oh,  I  beg  your  pardon,"  she  said  quickly  ;  "I 
should  not  have  asked  only  that  your  devotion  to  your 
mother  struck  me  the  more  forcibly  because,  in  my 
own  case,  it  is  so  different ;"  she  hesitated,  while  he 

183 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

regarded  her  inquiringly.  "My  father,"  she  con- 
tinued, u  is  so  much  nearer  and  dearer  to  me  than  my 
mother." 

"  That,  to  me,  seems  incredible,"  he  exclaimed. 

"  It  is  true,  however,  and  what  makes  it  the  more 
strange " 

There  was  a  sudden  wrench  backward  that  threw 
them  from  their  seats  ;  the  car  trembled  and  shook  as 
though  it  were  a  toy  in  some  giant  hand,  rocked  and 
reeled  sidewise,  then,  fore-end  uppermost,  plunged 
backward  and  downward,  accompanied  by  the  shat- 
tering of  glass,  the  groaning  and  crashing  of  woodwork 
and  the  shrieks  of  passengers. 

At  the  first  shock,  the  young  man  had  clasped  Helen 
in  his  arms  and  holding  her  beneath  him,  interposed 
his  body  as  a  shield  between  her  and  the  objects 
crashing  about  them,  bracing  himself  and  gripping 
the  woodwork  to  keep  from  being  thrown  to  the  rear 
and  downward  end  of  the  car. 

When  at  last,  after  several  terrible  rebounds,  the 
car  became  stationary,  Helen  and  her  companion  found 
themselves  firmly  wedged  between  the  seats.  She  was 
practically  unhurt,  having  suffered  only  from  the 
wrench  and  strain.  He  was  bruised  and  bleeding, 
but  reported  no  bones  broken. 

"  Slightly  disfigured,  but  as  good  as  ever,"  he  told 
her  laughingly,  when  he  had  succeeded  in  extricating 
himself.  His  next  effort  was  to  free  her,  which  he 
accomplished  in  a  few  moments. 

Fortunately,  they  were  near  the  forward  end  of  the 
car,  where  they  had  little  difficulty  in  crawling  out 
upon  the  embankment  against  which  it  rested.  There 
a  fearful  sight  confronted  them.  In  rounding  a  sharp 

184 


A  KNIGHT  ERRANT 

curve  at  high  speed,  the  rear  car  had  jumped  the 
track  and  rolled  to  the  bottom  of  the  embankment, 
some  eighty  feet  below,  where  it  lay  completely 
overturned. 

The  intervening  cars  between  that  and  their  own 
were  piled  in  confusion  one  on  top  of  another,  and 
on  this  pile  the  rear  end  of  their  car  rested,  canted 
slightly  to  one  side. 

From  the  upper  cars,  people  were  crawling,  with  or 
without  assistance,  to  the  embankment,  as  they  had 
done  ;  but  around  the  overturned  car,  a  crew  of  men 
were  already  at  work  with  axes,  saws  and  crow-bars, 
taking  out  the  crushed,  mangled  forms,  many  of  them 
lifeless ;  while  down  the  road,  in  the  distance,  men 
were  hurrying  with  teams  and  hastily  improvised 
stretchers. 

Helen  turned  to  her  companion,  her  brown  eyes  wide 
with  horror. 

"  Oh,  see  what  you  have  saved  me  from  !  "  she  ex- 
claimed, "  If  you  had  not  insisted  on  my  leaving  that 

car "  she  broke  down,  overcome  by  the  shock 

and  excitement.  He  saw  that  she  was  trembling,  and 
drawing  her  to  him,  soothed  her  as  though  she  had 
been  a  child. 

She  quickly  recovered  herself  and  looked  up,  smiling 
through  her  tears.  "Didn't  I  say  a  while  ago  you 
were  my  knight  errant?  Now  you  have  proved  it. 
Oh,  how  can  I  ever  repay  you  ! " 

"I  want  no  pay  or  reward,"  he  said  gravely. 

"No,  I  didn't  mean  that,"  she  replied  quickly, 

"but  how  can  I  ever  express  my  gratitude,  or " 

she  hesitated,  her  color  deepening  under  his  gaze. 

"  Some  time  I  will  tell  you,"  he  said,  with  one  of 
185 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

his  grave,  tender  smiles,  "  if  you  think  yon  would  care 
to  hear.  Do  you?" 

Her  eyes  answered,  rather  than  her  lips,  but  he 
seemed  well  content.  A  moment  later,  he  said  : 

"If  I  am  a  true  knight  errant  I  must  help  to  save 
life  down  below.  Do  you  mind  if  I  leave  you  for  a 
while  ?  I  will  come  back. ' ' 

11  ~No,  go  by  all  means  ;  I  wouldn't  keep  you." 

She  watched  him  running  and  sliding  down  the  em- 
bankment until  he  joined  the  crew  of  workers  below  ; 
then,  with  sudden  resolution,  she  made  her  way  down 
the  steep  descent  to  a  group  of  women  near  the  wreck 
who  were  tearing  bandages  and  helping  to  care  for  the 
rescued  ones.  All  about  her  were  gruesome  and  sick- 
ening sights,  but  she  nerved  herself  for  the  occasion 
and  soon  forgot  her  surroundings  in  her  work.  From 
time  to  time,  she  saw  her  late  companion,  and  once, 
as  he  passed,  he  saw  her  and  his  look  of  surprised 
pleasure  and  approval  brought  a  glow  to  her  heart  and 
a  corresponding  light  to  her  eyes. 

A  few  moments  later,  there  was  a  shout  of  warning, 
followed  by  a  crash.  In  chopping  away  portions  of 
the  overturned  car,  the  part  upon  which  the  next  car 
was  resting  suddenly  gave  way,  and  the  car  toppled 
and  slid  downward,  carrying  beneath  it  some  of  the 
rescuers.  Helen  sprang  forward  with  a  cry,  for  it  had 
fallen  where  her  friend  had  been  standing  a  moment 
before.  It  was  quickly  pried  up  and  he,  among  others, 
was  drawn  out  from  under  it,  unconscious  and  with  a 
broken  arm. 

"To  the  hospital,"  was  the  surgeon's  command 
after  a  brief  examination.  There  was  no  time  to  stop 
for  identification,  that  would  be  attended  to  at  the 

186 


A  KNIGHT  ERRANT 

hospital.  The  surgeon  assured  Helen  his  injuries  were 
not  serious  ;  he  was  merely  stunned.  "With  a  heavy 
heart,  she  returned  to  her  work  after  seeing  him,  with 
a  number  of  others,  borne  away  in  the  direction  of  the 
nearest  town. 

That  afternoon  Helen  was  compelled  to  continue  her 
journey  with  no  further  news  of  her  friend,  not  know- 
ing even  the  name  of  the  hospital  to  which  he  had  been 
taken. 

The  following  morning,  while  reading  in  the  morn- 
ing paper  an  account  of  the  preceding  day's  disaster, 
she  found  toward  the  close,  the  following  paragraph : 

The  young  man  who  was  caught  beneath  the  falling 
car  while  assisting  in  the  work  of  rescuing  passengers, 
recovered  consciousness  soon  after  reaching  the  hospital, 
but  refused  to  give  his  name  ;  and  after  the  fracture  of 
his  arm  had  been  reduced,  left,  without  disclosing  his 
identity,  and  no  one  seems  to  know  what  has  become 
of  him. 

But  the  young  stranger  with  his  arm  in  a  sling,  con- 
fined by  a  low  fever  to  his  room  in  a  hotel  in  a  neigh- 
boring town,  did  not  read  in  a  coast  paper,  a  few  days 
later,  of  the  narrow  escape  from  death  by  railway 
accident  of  the  only  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Thomas 
Macavoy  Denning. 


187 


XVIII 

THE  "KINDNESS"   OF  FATE 


"  I  WOULD  like  to  meet  this  young  hero  of  yours. 
He  should  have  whatever  he  wanted,  'even  to  the 
half  of  my  kingdom.'  " 

"That  is  rather  a  rash  pledge,  pater;  you  know 
that  one  who  Once  made  it  had  cause  to  regret  it 
afterwards." 

"  Eh  !  Is  that  so  f  Well,  I'll  take  the  risk  anyway. 
If  he  ever  shows  up,  I'll  set  him  up  in  business  or 
start  him  in  politics,  whichever  he  likes." 

"I  don't  think,  daddy  dear,  he  would  care  for 
those  things.  I  mean — well,  he  didn't  look  to  be 
the  sort  of  man  you  could  offer  to  do  things  for,  you 
know." 

"I'll  leave  it  to  him  then.  He  couldn't  ask  for 
anything  I  wouldn't  give,  after  his  having  saved  my 
little  girl  for  me.  Gad !  Helen,  I  couldn't  lose  you 
out  of  my  life." 

Helen  Denning  felt  her  cheeks  suddenly  flame  at 
the  thought  of  what  this  individual  under  consider- 
ation might  ask,  but  her  only  reply  was  to  wind 
her  arm  closer  about  her  father's  neck  and  lay  her 
flushing  cheek  against  his  head. 

In  many  respects  Denning  had  greatly  changed 
since  the  day  when  Eichards  called  to  pay  his  respects 
to  the  mayor  of  Eockland.  In  the  decision  formed  at 

188 


THE  "KINDNESS"  OF  FATE 

that  turning-point  in  his  life  he  had  taken  a  step 
backward,  and  in  certain  directions  had  been  retro- 
grading every  since.  Knowing  the  fearful,  secret 
odds  against  him,  he  had,  in  his  desperate  haste  to 
reach  the  goal,  thrown  conservatism  to  the  winds  and 
sought  political  preferment  by  any  and  every  means, 
crushing  whoever  or  whatever  came  in  his  way  as 
relentlessly  and  remorselessly  as  the  avalanche  grinds 
the  rocks  in  its  path.  To  a  certain  extent  the  effect 
was  visible  in  his  face  and  general  appearance. 
He  had  aged  beyond  his  years  ;  the  black  hair  had 
become  iron-gray  ;  the  hard  lines  about  his  mouth  had 
deepened  and  intensified ;  the  keen,  penetrating  eyes 
had  acquired  a  wary,  crafty  expression,  as  though  on 
the  lookout  for  hidden  foes.  Moreover,  his  high 
living  had  given  him  a  tendency  towards  corpu- 
lence ;  his  pale  face  became  florid  under  excitement, 
and  he  seemed  to  have  coarsened  in  thought  and 
speech. 

But  in  his  affection  for  his  foster  child  he  remained 
unchanged.  He  exulted  in  her  beauty  ;  he  confided 
to  her  his  hopes  and  plans ;  he  idolized  her.  But 
even  his  love  for  her  was,  like  his  every  other  emotion, 
of  the  very  essence  of  selfishness.  He  loved  her 
because  she  ministered  to  his  happiness.  In  her,  and 
her  alone,  his  expectations  were  fulfilled.  Even  his 
successes,  his  political  triumphs,  were  beginning  to 
pall.  They  were  attained  at  such  tremendous  cost, 
and  when  he  grasped  them,  they  were  so  empty  and 
unsatisfying,  after  all. 

His  home  life,  too,  was  disappointing.  He  and  his 
wife  had  drifted  so  widely  apart  that  their  nominal 
relationship  served  only  to  keep  up  appearances  before 

189 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

the  world,  and  to  hoodwink  that  easily  blinded  god- 
dess, Society.  His  son,  nearly  entering  his  fifteenth 
year,  was  the  bitterest  disappointment  of  all.  He 
bore  not  the  slightest  resemblance  to  his  father  except 
in  the  intense  selfishness  of  his  nature.  Handsome, 
cold,  utterly  averse  to  anything  like  a  business  life 
and  wholly  dominated  by  his  mother,  his  father  saw 
his  hopes  of  a  son  to  take  his  place  and  perpetuate  his 
name  among  the  kings  of  finance  frustrated. 

At  this  period  of  his  life,  as  never  before,  Denning 
felt  the  need  of  some  one  with  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  financial  matters,  whom  he  could  at  the  same  time 
trust  implicitly,  to  take,  in  a  measure,  his  place  and 
to  look  after  certain  interests  in  connection  with  the 
bank  with  which  he  had  been  so  long  associated.  He 
had  received  the  nomination  for  governor  and  a  hard 
campaign  lay  before  him — for  by  this  time  he  had 
strong  political  foes — necessitating  frequent  and  pro- 
longed absences  from  the  city.  A  large  amount  of 
funds  would  be  needed  for  " campaign  purposes." 
These  funds  would  have  to  be  discreetly  handled  by 
the  North  Western,  and  the  cashier  was  not  a  man  to 
whom  these  matters  could  be  safely  intrusted  j  he  was 
of  the  opposite  party. 

Several  weeks  had  passed  since  Helen's  return.  In 
all  the  time  there  had  been  neither  word  nor  sign 
from  her  u knight  errant''  How  could  there  be — 
she  reflected — when  neither  knew  the  other's  name  or 
destination?  It  seemed  strange  to  her  now,  as  she 
recalled  the  friendly  intimacy  of  those  last  two  days, 
that  they  had  not  learned  these  simple  facts  regarding 
each  other ;  but  through  all  their  friendliness,  there 
had  been  a  certain  reserve  on  his  part,  which  had 

190 


THE  "KINDNESS"  OF  FATE 

naturally  bred  something  of  a  like  reserve  on  her  own. 
Afterward,  when  the  shock  and  danger  had  brought 
to  them  a  new  knowledge  of  themselves  and  of  each 
other,  all  else  was  for  the  time  forgotten,  and  later, 
there  had  been  no  opportunity  for  speech. 

Yet,  notwithstanding  this  obvious  difficulty  in  the 
way  of  their  meeting  again,  Helen  had  no  doubt  but 
that  they  would  find  one  another.  Whether  she 
trusted  to  the  Fate  which  had  brought  them  together, 
to  reunite  them,  or  to  telepathic  vibrations  to  draw 
them  each  to  each,  she  could  not  have  told,  but  she 
went  her  way  untroubled  by  doubt  or  regret  and 
untinctured  by  morbid  imaginations  ;  entering,  mean- 
while, into  her  father's  plans  with  youthful,  health- 
ful enthusiasm  and  accompanying  him  on  many  of 
his  tours  over  the  State,  in  the  interests  of  the  coming 
campaign. 

To  the  young  man  himself,  the  case  seemed  far  less 
hopeful.  To  him,  the  chances  of  their  meeting 
seemed  infinitely  small.  Though  impatient  to  push 
on  to  his  original  destination,  he  waited  till  a  sling 
for  his  arm  was  no  longer  necessary,  and  while  wait- 
ing, revolved  all  manner  of  plans  for  ascertaining  the 
identity  and  whereabouts  of  his  recent  companion  ; 
resolving,  in  his  more  desperate  moments,  to  advertise 
if  all  other  means  failed. 

Time  dragged  heavily  for  him,  but  the  day  came 
when  he  could  resume  his  journey,  and  the  following 
morning  found  him  within  the  borders  of  the  State 
in  which  it  was  to  end.  As  he  neared  his  destination 
and  recalled  the  business  which  had  brought  him 
west,  other  and  less  pleasant  thoughts  than  those  of 
Helen  began  to  crowd  upon  his  mind. 

191 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Seated  apart  from  his  fellow  travellers,  with  cap 
pulled  over  his  eyes,  his  white  face  set  and  stern,  he 
mentally  rehearsed  his  part  in  the  dreaded  but  inevi- 
table interview  which  each  hour  was  bringing  nearer  ; 
the  execution  of  the  commission  for  which  he  had 
given  his  word  as  a  sacred  pledge.  The  train  stopped, 
but  he  paid  little  heed,  so  absorbed  was  he  in  his  own 
thoughts,  till  roused  from  his  revery  by  an  unusual 
commotion  about  him  and  the  repetition  of  a  name 
that  arrested  his  attention. 

"What  are  we  waiting  here  for!"  some  one 
inquired. 

"For  Mac  Denning' s  private  car  to  be  coupled  on 
to  our  train,"  was  the  reply  from  a  man  who  had 
been  out  to  investigate. 

"Mac  Denning,"  repeated  another,  "is  that  the 
Denning  that' s  running  for  governor  out  here  f ' ' 

"That's  what,  and  you  bet  he'll  get  there,  too!" 
a  fourth  answered  enthusiastically. 

"If  he  does,"  rejoined  the  second  speaker,  "he'll 
know  he's  been  in  a  fight,  all  right.  He  isn't  going 
to  have  any  walk-away  this  time.  Folks  are  getting 
on  to  his  curves." 

"  Oh,  yes ;  talk's  cheap,  Martin,  but  your  party 
can't  put  up  a  man  that  can  beat  him." 

"I  say,  let's  go  out  and  take  a  look  at  him," 
chimed  in  one  who  had  not  spoken  j  "Come  on,  Ed," 
— nudging  a  drowsy  fellow  traveller  in  the  ribs — 
"come  on  and  have  a  look  at  our  next  governor." 

There  was  a  general  exodus  from  the  car.  The 
young  man  who  had  been  a  silent  listener,  followed 
the  crowd,  his  pulses  throbbing  with  excitement,  yet 
feeling  the  peculiar  sensation  of  one  moving  in  a 

192 


THE  "KINDNESS"  OF  FATE 

dream.  As  he  stepped  from  the  train,  he  saw,  stand- 
ing on  a  side-track  at  the  rear,  a  handsome  private 
car,  and  near  it  a  group  of  men  about  whom  a  small, 
but  constantly  increasing,  crowd  was  gathering.  A 
glance  revealed  to  him  which  of  the  group  was  the 
candidate  for  gubernatorial  honors. 

He  saw  a  tall,  broad  shouldered  man,  of  imposing 
appearance  ;  a  man  evidently  accustomed  to  command, 
who  looked  as  though  he  knew  no  such  word  as 
"fail"  ;  his  face,  with  its  clear-cut  features  and  well 
defined  lines,  was  confident,  aggressive,  dominant. 

The  crowd  called  for  a  speech  and  Denning  re- 
sponded with  that  air  of  suave  affability  and  easy 
assurance  that  made  him  popular  with  crowds.  But 
behind  the  smile,  the  keen  young  eyes  watching  him 
saw  the  politician  j  wary,  crafty,  astute. 

Standing  a  little  apart  from  the  crowd,  he  studied 
the  speaker  with  strangely  commingled  emotions. 
This,  then,  was  the  man  who  had  scorned  and  deserted 
the  woman  whom  he  loved  and  honored  as  his 
mother  ;  who,  ignorant  of,  or  ignoring,  his  existence, 
had  left  him  fatherless  for  thirty  years !  This  was 
the  father  whom  he  had  never  seen  or  known  ;  who 
had  been  to  him  only  a  name  !  He  felt  the  old  bit- 
ter resentment  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  toward  this 
man  swelling  anew  within  his  bosom  ;  but  pitted  over 
against  it  was  another  emotion,  strange,  unfamiliar, 
for  which  he  was  totally  unprepared ;  the  subtle, 
mysterious,  force  that  unites,  by  an  indissoluble  bond, 
those  of  the  same  blood.  It  appealed  to  him — with- 
out kith  or  kin — with  irresistible  power,  causing  his 
heart  to  quicken  its  beating  and  even  his  eyes  to  fill 
with  unwelcome  tears. 

13  193 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

With  eyes  fastened  on  the  speaker's  face,  his 
own  face  rigid  with  the  effort  to  repress  his  feeling, 
he  stood,  immovable,  utterly  oblivious  to  passers  by, 
till  the  close  of  the  brief  address ;  then  turned — to 
confront  Helen  Denning,  standing  at  a  little  distance 
and  regarding  him  with  wondering  eyes. 

The  swift  transformation  in  his  face,  at  sight  of 
her,  seemed  to  have  a  slightly  disconcerting  effect 
upon  Helen ;  she  colored,  though  her  eyes  reflected 
something  of  the  light  in  his  own. 

"You  must  be  intensely  interested  in  politics," 
she  said,  after  an  exchange  of  rather  incoherent  greet- 
ings ;  "  I  passed  you  a  moment  ago  and  you  never  saw 
me." 

"I  think  it  must  have  been  the  speaker,  rather 
than  the  speech,  that  interested  me,"  he  replied, 
with  a  peculiar  smile,  ' i  for  I  cannot  recall  a  word  he 
said." 

"What  a  unique  compliment  to  the  speaker!  I 
am  sure  it  would  please  him  immensely.  But  where 
have  you  been  since  the  '  smash-up '  I  And  were  you 
seriously  injured1?" 

"Nothing  but  a  broken  arm.  I  have  been  waiting 
for  it  to  mend  thoroughly  before  continuing  my 
journey,  which  I  resumed  only  yesterday.  Mean- 
while I  have  been  racking  my  brains  trying  to  solve 
the  problem  how  I  was  to  find  you." 

"And  have  had  your  labor  for  your  pains,  since 
the  problem  has  solved  itself,"  she  replied  merrily, 
"Fate  seems  to  have  taken  the  matter  out  of  your 
hands." 

' '  Fate  has  been  very  kind  to  me, ' '  he  answered  with 
emphasis  and  a  look  that  made  Helen  hasten  to  say  : 

194 


THE  "KINDNESS"  OF  FATE 

"That  is  no  excuse  for  tempting  her  in  such  a 
reckless  fashion.  Think  of  the  absurdity  of  our  learn- 
ing absolutely  nothing  of  each  other  in  all  that  time, 
not  even  one  another's  names  ! " 

"They  did  not  seem  particularly  essential  then, 
nor  do  they  just  at  present,"  he  remarked,  smiling. 

"Oh,  but  they  are,  you  know,"  she  insisted, 
"therefore  I  will  introduce  myself  at  once.  My  name 
is  Helen  Denning,  and  if  you  will  give  me  your  name 
I  will  present  you  to  my  father,  along  with  your  recent 
compliment,  which  he  will  appreciate,  and  we  will 
be  delighted  to  have  you  join  us  in  our  car." 

While  speaking,  she  had  watched  him  mis- 
chievously, anticipating  some  slight  sign  of  surprise 
on  his  part,  but  totally  unprepared  for  the  effect 
produced  by  her  words. 

With  the  mention  of  her  name,  the  light  in  his  eyes 
suddenly  faded,  and  in  its  place  a  dim,  fearful  appre- 
hension dawned,  deepening  as  she  proceeded,  while 
an  unnatural  pallor  overspread  his  face. 

"Pardon  me,"  he  said,  in  a  low,  constrained 
voice  when  she  stopped  :  "  Did  I  understand  aright? 
Are  you  a  daughter  of  the  Mr.  Denning  who  has 
just  spoken?  " 

"  I  am,"  she  replied  wonderingly,  unable  in  her 
surprise  to  more  than  answer  in  the  affirmative.  But 
at  sight  of  the  gloom  and  misery  which  settled  upon 
his  face  at  her  admission,  she  could  not  remain 
silent. 

"  Oh,  tell  me,  what  have  I  said  to  distress  you  so  ? 
I  cannot  imagine,  cannot  understand." 

"And  I  fear  I  cannot  explain,"  he  answered 
slowly,  as  though  trying  to  collect  his  thoughts. 

195 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

She  regarded  him  silently,  while  various  surmises 
flashed  across  her  mind.  He  was  not  the  sort  to  be 
intimidated  by  her  position  or  wealth,  she  was  sure  of 
that ;  she  was  equally  sure  that  he  was  honorable. 
Suddenly  she  recalled  the  strange  expression  with 
which  he  had  watched  her  father  while  listening  to 
his  address. 

11  Do  you  know  my  father  ?  "  she  asked  eagerly. 

"Only  by  reputation,"  he  replied  with  a  certain 
deliberation,  having  made  up  his  mind  how  far  he 
could  explain  the  situation  ;  "  I  have  never  met  Mr. 
Denning,  but  I  have  come  west  for  that  express 
purpose." 

"To  meet  my  father!  How  strange!"  she  ex- 
claimed, adding.  "And  he  has  so  many  times  ex- 
pressed a  wish  to  meet  you,  knowing,  as  he  does, 
your  kindness  to  me." 

Her  words  helped  him  ;  he  seized  the  excuse  they 
offered. 

"For  that  very  reason,  Miss  Denning," — he  seemed 
to  speak  the  name  with  an  effort — "as  well  as  for 
others  which  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  state,  I  cannot — 
much  as  I  would  like  to  accede  to  your  wishes — accept 
your  offer  to  present  me  to  your  father.  I  have  a 
letter  to  Mr.  Denning,  and  that  and  my  card  must  be 
my  only  introduction.  It  is  best  that  he  should  meet 
me  as  an  entire  stranger,  unprejudiced  for  or  against 
me." 

He  spoke  with  more  ease,  but  his  face,  even  to  his 
lips,  was  ashen. 

"You,  of  course,  know  best,"  Helen  replied, 
wondering  at  his  agitation. 

"  My  business  with  Mr.  Denning  is  not  for  myself," 
196 


THE  "KINDNESS"  OF  FATE 

lie  continued,  thinking  she  might  perhaps  regard  him 
as  an  applicant  for  some  favor,  political  or  otherwise  ; 
' '  I  am  here  simply  to  execute  a  commission  for  a 

third  party.     When  that  is  ended "  he  hesitated, 

uncertain  how  to  complete  the  sentence. 

11  When  that  is  ended,  I  hope  I  may  present  my 
'knight  errant,'  "  she  said,  with  forced  cheerfulness. 

"Possibly,"  he  said  with  a  faint  smile,  but  the 
shadow  on  his  face  deepened. 

"  At  least,  may  I  not  know  your  name? " 

His  eyes  met  hers  appealingly  :  l '  May  I  hope  for 
pardon  if  I  withhold  it  until  after  my  interview  with 
Mr.  Denning?" 

If  she  felt  any  annoyance,  the  unmistakable  signs  of 
suffering  in  the  face  before  her  restrained  her  from 
showing  it. 

1  i  There  seems  to  be  some  mystery  back  of  all 
this,"  she  said,  "  and  I  don't  like  mysteries." 

"Nor  do  I,"  he  replied  gravely;  "but  I  have  no 
choice  in  the  matter.  It  is  another's  secret  I  am 
guarding,  not  my  own." 

"Tell  me  one  thing,"  she  pleaded,  woman-like; 
"I  feel  certain  your  errand  is  an  unpleasant  one,  but 
is  it  friendly  to  my  father,  or  the  reverse  ?  " 

His  reply  reassured  her:  "Friendly,  entirely  so; 
but,  as  you  surmise,  unpleasant,  for  him  and  for 
me." 

After  a  moment's  silence,  she  said,  "I  see  people 
are  returning  to  the  train,  so  I  must  leave  you.  I 
suppose  there  is  no  use  in  asking  you  to  visit  our 
car?" 

"I  may  visit  Mr.  Denning,  if  you  think  I  would 
find  him  unengaged." 

197 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"  I  think  you  might.  I  believe,"  she  added,  smil- 
ing u  he  has  no  more  speeches  en  route." 

UI  probably  will  call  upon  him  then." 

"  And  afterward  ?  "  she  asked,  extending  her  hand, 
11 1  will  see  you  again,  will  I  not !  " 

"Afterward?"  he  repeated,  as  his  hand  closed 
over  hers  :  "  Yes,  we  will  meet ;  and  I  hope  you  will 
then  think  as  kindly  of  the  past  as  I  shall." 


198 


HELEN  was  unable  to  banish  those  last  words  from 
her  thoughts.  They  rang  in  her  ears,  as,  seated  in  the 
luxurious  drawing  room  of  her  father's  car,  she  gazed 
through  the  window  with  unseeing  eyes  upon  the 
panorama  speeding  past. 

They  seemed  to  imply  that  even  though  they  should 
meet  again,  it  would  be  upon  a  different  footing,  in  a 
changed  relationship,  in  which  the  past  would  hence- 
forth be  only  a  memory.  More  than  that,  as  she 
recalled  their  brief  interview,  she  realized  that  he  had 
changed  from  the  moment  he  had  learned  who  she 
was  ;  he  had  not  been  the  same  afterward. 

Helen  was  gifted  with  clear  perceptions.  Her  love 
for  her  father  did  not  blind  her  to  his  faults.  She, 
better  than  any  one  else,  knew  his  inordinate  selfish- 
ness. She  was  painfully  cognizant  of  the  slow  deteri- 
oration in  his  manners  and  morals  during  these  later 
years.  Moreover,  she  was  familiar  with  the  charges 
from  time  to  time  brought  against  him  by  the  press  ; 
charges  of  corruption  and  bribery,  which  though  they 
remained  unproven,  remained  also  ur  refuted.  And 
perhaps,  because  of  this  knowledge,  her  love  for 
him — partaking  more  of  the  maternal  than  the  filial 
instinct — was  the  more  tender. 

It  was  not  unnatural,  therefore,  that  she  should  now 
connect  the  visit  of  this  stranger  with  the  political 

199 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

situation.  He  had  been  careful  to  entirely  dissociate 
himself  from  his  business  with  her  father.  Perhaps  his 
commission  had  to  do  with  some  forthcoming  "  disclo- 
sure," imminent,  fatal,  which  a  reasonable  consid- 
eration might  suppress ;  and  he  disdained  further 
friendship  with  the  daughter  of  a  corruptionist. 

She  was  unable  to  rid  herself  of  a  sense  of  impend- 
ing evil  as,  oppressed  and  saddened,  she  awaited  the 
result  of  this  strange  interview. 

Meanwhile,  the  subject  of  her  thoughts  was  bracing 
himself  for  the  ordeal  before  him.  Under  the  power- 
ful emotions  awakened  by  the  sight  of  his  father,  the 
sound  of  his  voice,  the  thrilling  consciousness  that  here 
was  his  own  flesh  and  blood,  the  life  from  which  his 
life  had  sprung,  he  had  felt  an  eagerness  for  the  coming 
interview.  At  once  attracted  and  repelled  by  the 
strong  personality  which  he  recognized  as  akin  to  his 
own,  he  felt  a  swift  longing  to  pit  himself  against  it 
and  measure  his  own  strength  by  the  result. 

But  the  meeting  with  Helen  had,  to  a  degree,  un- 
nerved him.  In  the  first  flush  of  joy  an  entirely  dif- 
ferent set  of  emotions  had  been  aroused  ;  and  in  the 
shock  which  followed — the  transition  from  the  seeming 
fulfilment  of  hope  to  the  loss  of  hope — he  had  been  so 
dazed,  stunned,  that  all  emotions  were  for  the  time 
dulled,  blunted.  As  he  recalled  the  scene,  the  irony 
of  the  situation  forced  itself  upon  him  ;  he  had  said  to 
her  that  Fate  had  been  kind  to  him  !  He  smiled 
bitterly  at  the  recollection  of  the  words. 

Denning,  seated  at  his  desk,  in  his  private  compart- 
ment, glanced  frowningly  at  a  telegram  just  handed 
him.  Affairs  at  the  North  Western  were  not  being 
handled  aright.  That  he  was  needed  there  was  only 

200 


FACE  TO  FACE 

too  evident.  But  his  presence  "in  the  field"  was 
even  more  imperative.  Some  one  must  represent  him 
in  the  bank,  but  who!  It  must  be  a  man  familiar 
with  banking  ;  entirely  dissociated  from  politics,  with 
no  interest  in,  or  knowledge  of,  the  intricacies  of  the 
political  situation ;  some  one  whom  he  could  trust  to 
follow  his  commands  implicitly.  But  where  was  such 
a  man  to  be  found  ? 

He  was  still  frowning  when  his  secretary  announced 
that  a  gentleman  was  waiting  to  see  him. 

' l  On  what  business  ? ' ' 

"Private  business,  he  says.  He  declined  to  give 
his  name." 

"Show  him  in,"  Denning  ordered  briefly,  antici- 
pating a  message  from  some  one  of  his  lieutenants. 

He  glanced  keenly,  but  casually,  at  the  stranger  as 
he  entered,  but  the  glance  was  prolonged  into  a  steady 
gaze  as  he  rose  to  meet  him.  He  was  not  the  sort  of 
man  he  had  expected  to  see.  Plainly,  this  man  was 
no  political  messenger,  but  that  he  had  come  on 
important  business  was  equally  evident. 

"Mr.  Denning,  I  believe!" 

Denning  bowed  slightly,  without  at  once  speaking  or 
looking  at  the  card  which  he  had  taken  mechanically 
and  was  now  holding.  A  pair  of  eyes,  the  counterpart 
of  his  own,  met  and  held  his  gaze.  He  recalled  him- 
self and  glanced  at  the  name  on  the  bit  of  pasteboard 
in  his  hand — Thomas  Macavoy  Denning  ! 

For  an  instant  Denning  wondered  if  the  hour  of  his 
doom  had  come  j  he  grew  a  shade  paler  and  the  hand 
holding  the  card  trembled  slightly.  In  the  next 
breath,  his  indomitable  will  rose  to  the  occasion  ;  he 
would  hold  his  fate  in  his  own  hands  yet ! 

201 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

For  a  moment,  the  two  men  regarded  each  other 
silently,  sternly  ;  each  at  the  same  time  attracted  and 
repelled  by  the  other ;  attracted  by  the  mysterious  but 
irresistible  tie  of  consanguinity,  repelled  by  their  utter 
unlikeness  and  lack  of  affinity  from  a  psychical  stand- 
point. In  the  younger  man,  of  finer  sensibility,  the 
consciousness  of  aversion  gradually  gained  ascend- 
ency ;  in  the  elder,  coarser,  more  sensual,  the  tie  of 
flesh  and  blood  prevailed. 

11  You  are  a  Denning  ;  that  is  evident,"  he  said,  an 
unconscious  note  of  pride  vibrating  in  his  voice,  his 
stern  face  relaxing  into  a  smile  as  he  extended  his 
hand. 

The  other's  first  impulse  was  to  ignore  the  out- 
stretched hand,  but  he  thought  better  of  it.  As  their 
hands  clasped,  however,  a  magnetic  thrill  from  the 
ever  dominating  personality  of  the  elder  man  vibrated 
through  the  keenly  sensitive  organism  of  the  younger 
so  that  their  eyes  met  in  a  more  friendly  glance, 
though  each  remained  non-committal,  awaiting  further 
developments. 

"As  you  bear  my  name,  you  are  doubtless  my 
son,"  Denning  continued  slowly  5  "your  mother  was 
"  he  paused. 

"Millicent  Heldt,  before  her  marriage  with  you," 
the  other  supplemented  unhesitatingly. 

Denning  bowed  :  "You  are  then  my  elder  son.  Be 
seated  ;"  indicating  a  chair  near  his  desk  and  seating 
himself :  "  "What  can  I  do  for  you  f  " 

"  I  have  not  come  here  on  my  own  behalf,"  said  the 
younger  man  slowly,  drawing  from  his  pocket  a 
memorandum  book  from  which  he  proceeded  to  ex- 
tract a  letter :  "I  have  come  in  the  execution  of  a 

202 


FACE  TO  FACE 

com  mission  which  I  promised  to  perform.  I  have 
here  a  letter  for  you,  a  letter  from  my  mother." 

"  From  your  mother  ?  "  Denning  repeated.  "  Why 
does  your  mother  seek  to  open  up  any  communication 
with  me  now  after  all  these  years  ?  What  does  she 
wish  of  me?" 

11  My  mother  had  no  intention  of  opening  communi- 
cation with  you,  as  you  will  see  if  you  read  this,"  the 
other  answered  coldly;  "  she  had  no  favor  to  ask  of 
you — nor  have  I.  This  is  her  dying  message  to  you 
and  as  such,  I  hardly  think  you  will  refuse  to  read  it." 

" Dying,  did  you  say?"  Denning  exclaimed  in  an 
altered  tone,  "  Your  mother  is  dying  ?  " 

"She  is  dead."  Then,  after  a  slight  pause  :  "  You 
will  read  this?" 

"Most  assuredly  ;  I  had  no  intention  of  refusing  to 
do  so." 

Taking  the  letter  from  his  son,  he  proceeded  to  open 
and  read  it.  The  writing  was  evidently  the  work  of 
a  person  unaccustomed  to  the  task  ;  cramped  and 
labored,  but  executed  with  great  pains  and  per- 
fectly legible.  The  letter  began  simply  and  without 
preamble : 

DEAR  TOM  : — 

When  you  went  away  that  night,  over  thirty  years 
ago,  there  was  something  I  wanted  to  tell  you,  but 
I  didn't  know  just  how  and  I  was  afraid  you  might 
be  angry.  But  maybe  you  will  remember  that  you 
said  you  were  going  to  try  to  forget  me  and  that  you 
didn't  want  anything  that  would  remind  you  of  me. 
In  one  way,  that  made  me  very  glad,  for  I  thought  then 
there  was  no  need  for  you  to  know  what  I  was  trying 
to  bring  myself  to  tell  you.  Early  the  next  summer  my 
baby  came,  and  thinking  you  would  not  care  for  him,  I 
203 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

felt  that  he  was  mine  to  keep.  I  named  him  for  you, 
though,  and  determined  to  bring  him  up  to  be  as  much 
like  you  as  possible.  To  do  this,  I  left  home  and  started 
a  little  store  which  soon  supported  us,  for  I  wanted  to 
save  the  money  you  left  me  for  my  boy,  to  give  him  an 
education  and  a  good  start  in  life.  For  my  boy's  sake 
I  worked  and  saved ;  for  his  sake  I  tried  to  improve 
myself,  so  that  as  he  grew  older  he  needn't  be  ashamed 
of  his  mother.  My  store  grew  into  a  news-stand  and 
bookstore  and  every  leisure  minute  I  spent  in  reading 
and  study.  I  was  so  proud  as  I  saw  him  growing  more 
and  more  like  you  and  I  taught  him  to  respect  and  honor 
the  father  who,  I  told  him,  had  gone  away  for  a  good 
reason  that  I  would  explain  to  him  when  he  was  old 
enough  to  understand. 

And  right  here,  I  want  to  say,  Tom,  that  I  have 
never  had  an  unkind  thought  toward  you.  As  I  read 
more  and  understood  things  better,  I  began  to  under- 
stand why  you  never  could  hav«  been  happy  with  me. 
We  ought  never  to  have  married,  except  for  our  boy's 
sake.  And  this  brings  me  to  something  I  want  to  explain 
— why  I  never  got  a  divorce.  Tom,  I  never  had  a 
father.  The  folks  didn't  tell  you,  nor  would  they  let 
me,  but  Heldt  was  not  my  father ;  and  remembering 
the  taunts  and  jeers  I  had  to  bear  when  a  child,  I  deter- 
mined my  boy  should  never  have  to  suffer  that  way. 
And  I  was  afraid  if  I  got  a  divorce  that  my  boy  would 
have  no  father  and  I  determined  there  should  be  no 
blot  on  his  life.  Afterward,  when  I  had  learned  more 
about  such  things,  I  had  heard  nothing  of  you  for  so 
long  I  thought  you  were  dead,  until,  a  few  weeks  ago, 
I  saw  your  name  in  a  paper.  The  paper  spoke  of  you 
as  a  great  man  and  very  wealthy  and  mentioned  your 
family.  Then  I  felt  worried  for  fear  I  had  not  done 
right  in  not  getting  a  divorce.  But  you  will  be  free  when 
you  get  this,  for  I  am  dying.  And  I  have  made  my  son 
promise  to  go  to  you  with  this  message  as  soon  as  I  am 
gone,  so  as  to  try  to  right  the  wrong,  if  there  has  been 
any  done. 

204 


FACE  TO  FACE 

There  is  one  thing  more.  As  my  son  has  grown  to 
manhood  he  has  been  such  a  joy  and  comfort  to  me  that 
I  have  felt  conscience  smitten  in  withholding  him  from 
you.  Yet  I  felt  as  though  you  had  so  much,  while  he 
was  my  all.  But  when  one  comes  to  the  end  of  life 
things  look  different.  I  feel  that  I  have  done  wrong  in 
defrauding  you  all  these  years  of  a  son  of  whom  you 
have  every  reason  to  be  proud.  I  have,  as  I  said,  taught 
him  to  respect  and  honor  you  ;  had  he  known  you  per- 
sonally I  am  sure  he  would  have  learned  to  love  you — 
and  perhaps  you  need  him,  who  knows  ?  Wealth  cannot 
always  buy  what  we  need  most. 

So  now,  dear  Tom,  I  assure  you  of  my  joy  in  your 
good  fortune,  of  my  entire  forgiveness  for  whatever  may 
have  hurt  in  the  past  before  I  came  to  understand,  and 
I  hope  that  you  will  as  freely  forgive  me  if  in  any  way 
I  have  wronged  you,  knowing  that  I  did  it  unwittingly. 

My  last  words  to  you  were  a  promise  that  I  would 
never  do  anything  you  would  need  be  ashamed  of.  I 
have  not  only  fulfilled  that  promise,  but  I  give  and  be- 
queath to  you  a  son  of  whom  you  need  never  be 
ashamed.  Faithfully, 

MILLY. 

To  Denning' s  credit  be  it  said,  that  time-hardened 
and  blunted  as  were  his  sensibilities,  he  was  touched 
by  the  spirit  which  had  prompted  this  letter.  He 
looked  from  the  pages,  still  open  in  his  hand,  to  the 
young  man  before  him,  stamped,  by  the  faithful  love 
of  this  woman,  with  his  own  personality.  He  recog- 
nized his  own  individuality  and  felt  instinctively  that 
here  was  the  son  he  had  hoped  for,  the  son  to 
perpetuate  not  only  his  name,  but  himself. 

Denning' s  mind  worked  swiftly.  Here  was  a  man 
who  was  bound  to  rise,  to  make  a  name  in  the  world. 
Associated  with  himself,  he  would  be  invaluable ; 
dissociated,  he  would  be  a  constant  menace.  He  felt 

205 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

the  antagonism  lurking  in  the  calm,  stern  face,  and 
that  he  must  overcome  it,  must  win  him  at  all 
hazards. 

He  folded  the  letter  almost  reverently  and  returned 
it,  saying  in  a  low  voice  : 

1  i  Take  it,  my  son ;  it  had  better  be  in  your  pos- 
session than  in  mine  ;"  adding,  "you  are,  I  presume, 
familiar  with  its  contents  ! ' ' 

"I  am.     I  read  it  at  my  mother's  request." 

"  I  think  I  understand  and  appreciate  the  motive 
which  prompted  it,"  Denning  continued  slowly, 
choosing  his  words  with  care,  "and  if  it  results,  as  I 
hope  it  may,  in  a  perfect  understanding  between  us, 
as  between  father  and  son,  I  think  the  letter  will  have 
accomplished  its  mission." 

u  That  was  not  its  prime  object,  however,"  the  other 
replied  quickly.  "  From  the  time  my  mother  learned 
you  were  living  and  had  remarried,  she  was  harassed 
by  an  impression  that  you  had,  under  a  misappre- 
hension, unknowingly,  made  a  false  move  as  it  were, 
and  it  was  to  rectify  any  such  possible  mistake  that 
the  letter  was  written.  The  part  relating  to  myself 
was  an  afterthought,  and  was  written  but  a  few  days 
before  her  death." 

"  Then  we  may  safely  assume  that  that  was  of  the 
greatest  interest  to  her  and  it  is  that  which  more  par- 
ticularly concerns  ourselves,  so  let  us  come  to  a  mutual 
understanding.  Tell  me  of  yourself  and  what  I  can 
do  for  you." 

"I  have  already  told  you  that  I  have  no  favors  to 
ask,"  was  the  cold  reply. 

"  But  I,"  said  Denning,  smiling,  "  was  not  thinking 
of  favors,  but  of  what  is  your  due  as  my  son." 

206 


FACE  TO  FACE 

His  son  smiled  faintly  :  "  Pardon  me,  but  it  seems 
rather  late  in  the  day  for  thinking  of  that.  I  am  es- 
tablished in  business  with  a  good  future  before  me. 
If  there  is  anything  my  due,  I  have  done  very  well 
without  it  so  far  and  certainly  do  not  need  it  now." 

"What  line  of  business  are  you  in?"  Denning 
inquired,  ignoring,  for  the  time,  the  thrust. 

"  Banking." 

"What?"  he  ejaculated,  unable  to  restrain  his 
surprise. 

"Yes,  I've  always  had  a  natural  inclination  toward 
it,  I  don't  know  why.  I  was  a  bank  messenger  before 
I  entered  college  ;  I  worked  in  the  same  bank  as  clerk 
and  bookkeeper  during  my  vacations,  and  when  I 
graduated  they  made  me  teller ;  and  I've  been 
climbing  ever  since." 

"What  position  do  you  hold  now ? " 

"I  am  cashier."  Then,  noting  a  peculiar  look  in 
Ms  father's  face,  he  added  :  "I  was  made  assistant 
cashier  five  years  ago,  and  when  the  head  cashier  died 
eighteen  months  since,  I  was  given  his  place." 

Denning  could  scarcely  credit  what  he  heard,  or 
control  his  pride  and  delight.  Here  was  a  son  after 
his  own  heart !  Here,  too,  was  the  very  man  for  the 
North  Western ! 

After  a  few  general  inquiries,  he  asked:  "What 
salary  are  you  getting  ?  " 

The  young  man  named  a  fair  salary. 

Denning  swung  himself  around,  directly  facing  his 
son  and  laid  a  hand  on  his  knee. 

"My  son,"  he  said,  speaking  with  great  delibera- 
tion, ' '  I  will  double  your  present  salary  if  you  will  ac- 
cept the  position  of  cashier  in  my  bank  at  Eockland." 

207 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

If  he  expected  any  sign  of  surprise,  he  was  disap- 
pointed. The  other  smiled  coolly,  almost  quizzically. 

"Do  you  hire  cashiers,  like  office  boys,  in  your 
bank  ;  or  are  they  elected  ?  "  he  queried. 

"They  are  elected,  but  I  coine  pretty  near  con- 
trolling the  elections  in  that  institution,"  the  elder 
man  retorted  with  considerable  warmth. 

"I  see!" 

A  brief  silence  followed,  during  which  each  man 
was  mentally  taking  the  measure  of  the  other. 

"You  either  need  my  services  as  cashier  very 
badly,"  said  the  younger  man  significantly,  his  keen 
eyes  challenging  the  other  as  he  spoke,  "or  else  you 
have  reasons  for  putting  me  under  a  heavy  obligation 
to  you." 

Denning  took  the  challenge:  "I  do  need  you. 
Your  mother  was  right  when  she  said  I  needed  you. 
I  need  a  son." 

"Have  you  no  other  sonf  "  interposed  the  other  in 
surprise. 

"Yes,  I  have,  though  no  one  would  think  him  a  son 
of  mine.  He  is  but  a  boy  and  he  will  never  take  my 
place  in  the  world ;  his  mother  has  other  plans  for 
him." 

The  young  man  noted  the  bitterness  with  which  he 
spoke. 

"  I  want  a  son  to  perpetuate  not  only  my  name,  but 
myself;  who  will  take  my  place  and  represent  me 
when  I  am  ready  to  retire.  And  I  need  you  in  my 
bank — as  you  say — very  badly.  I'll  explain  why.  I 
have  been  president  of  that  bank  from  the  first  day  it 
opened  its  doors  ;  I've  made  it  what  it  is — one  of  the 
soundest  and  most  reliable  institutions  in  the  West. 

208 


FACE  TO  FACE 

Naturally,  I'm  interested  in  it;  my  personal  name  and 
honor  are  closely  affiliated  with  it.  Now,  I've  received 
the  nomination  for  governor.  There's  a  hard  fight 
ahead  and  I've  got  to  be  in  the  field.  If  I'm  elected 
— and  I  will  be — my  time  will  be  spent  in  the  capital 
city  and  in  State  affairs.  You  see  I've  got  to  have 
some  one  in  that  bank  in  direct  touch  with  myself, 
who  will  guard  my  interests,  work  under  my  direc- 
tions ;  in  a  word,  represent  me  there,  and  you  are 
the  only  one  who  can  do  it." 

Denning  saw  his  words  had  made  an  impression  and 
he  paused  to  let  them  take  effect. 

The  younger  man  was  thinking  deeply.  Enough  of 
the  Denning  blood  flowed  in  his  veins  to  make  his 
father's  offer  appeal  to  him  with  tremendous  force. 
Not  in  years — perhaps  not  in  a  lifetime — would  he 
have  another  such  an  opportunity.  He  understood,  too, 
the  prestige  to  be  gained  by  association  with  his  father, 
and  to  one  who  had  hitherto  made  his  own  way,  un- 
aided, the  prospect  was  particularly  alluring.  At  the 
same  time,  his  self-reliance  rebelled  against  a  position 
which  would  involve  obligation  to  his  father  ;  he  felt 
doubtful  as  to  what  that  obligation  itself  might  involve 
later  ;  while  back  of  all,  was  the  thought  of  Helen,  of 
the  frequent  association  with  her  ;  loving  her  as  he 
did,  could  he  do  it,  under  the  circumstances  I  Should 
he  attempt  it  ?  Should  he  not  rather  refuse,  not  for 
his  own  sake  alone,  but  perhaps  for  hers,  also  ? 

Denning,  watching  closely,  saw  the  struggle,  the 
hesitation.  Drawing  his  chair  closer,  he  laid  a  firm, 
compelling  hand  upon  his  son's  shoulder. 

"  Don't  decide  this  matter  hastily,"  he  said ;  "take 
time  to  think  it  over.     Go  home  with  me.     Look  the 
14  209 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

situation  over  carefully  ;  you  don't  know  yet  all  that 
it  means  to  you.  My  son,  it  won't  be  very  long  before 
I'll  be  in  the  United  States  senate,  and  if  you  come  up 
to  my  expectations,  as  I  believe  you  will,  you  can  be 
president  of  the  North  "Western  before  you  are  ten 
years  older.  I  need  you  and  I'll  do  the  right  thing 
by  you  as  your  father.  You  said  a  while  ago  it  was 
late  in  the  day  to  think  of  these  things.  That  may  be 
— I  can  make  it  up,  however — but  to  show  that  you 
misjudged  me,  until  within  a  few  years  since — long 
since  you  attained  your  majority — I  didn't  even  know 
of  your  existence." 

The  reply  was  not  what  he  expected. 

"  That  is  scarcely  to  be  wondered  at." 

"Why  so?" 

The  young  man  looked  surprised  at  the  question. 

"Ignoring,  as  you  did,  my  mother's  existence,  how 
could  you  be  otherwise  than  ignorant  of  mine? " 

There  was  no  trace  of  bitterness  in  his  tones ;  he 
asked  the  question  as  calmly  as  though  he  had  been 
submitting  a  mathematical  problem,  but  the  look  that 
accompanied  the  words  stung. 

Smarting  under  its  sting,  Denning  forgot  the 
caution  which  had  restrained  him  in  the  earlier  part 
of  their  interview.  Half  rising  from  his  chair,  he 
exclaimed : 

"Don't  go  too  far,  young  man!  Those  years  in 
which  you  say  I  ignored  your  mother,  I  believed  her 
dead ;  I  had  been  so  informed,  on  what  I  considered 
good  authority.  Does  that  satisfy  you?  Does  that 
explain  the  sins  of  omission  you  have  laid  to  my 
account?" 

"Of  omission,  and  perhaps  of  commission,  also," 
210 


FACE  TO  FACE 

his  son  replied  gravely.     "Did  you  remarry  on  the 
strength  of  that  information  and  belief?" 

The  question  came  like  a  blow  to  Denning ;  for  an 
instant  it  staggered  him. 

"  It  is  to  be  hoped  you  did,"  the  younger  man  con- 
tinued, "for  without  that  excuse,  your  act  would 
have  been  nothing  less  than  criminal." 

It  was  suddenly  borne  in  upon  Denning' s  mind  that 
his  son  had  forced  him  into  a  position  where  he  had 
no  alternative  except  to  admit  the  truth.  Denial  or 
evasion  would  only  make  the  matter  worse.  With 
the  realization,  rage  and  fear  seized  him ;  but  fear 
predominated.  In  his  eyes  was  the  look  of  an  animal 
cornered,  ready  to  spring,  yet  held  back  by  terror. 
He  tried  to  speak,  but  only  a  clicking  sound  came 
from  his  parched  throat,  while  his  face  grew  livid. 

"Father!" — the  word  came  unconsciously  to  the 
lips  of  the  younger  man  as  he  sprang  forward — 
"Calm  yourself.  I  did  not  come  here  to  alarm  or  in- 
timidate you.  I  simply  wanted  to  get  at  the  truth 
which  you  have  evaded  from  the  beginning  of  this 
interview." 

At  a  sign  from  his  father,  he  resumed  his  seat,  re- 
maining silent  while  Denning,  leaning  forward  upon 
his  desk,  buried  his  face  in  his  hands.  When  at  length 
he  lifted  his  head,  his  face  was  gray  and,  but  for  the 
eyes,  looked  as  though  cut  out  of  stone,  so  hard,  so 
devoid  of  expression  had  it  grown. 

"  Well,  you  have  got  at  the  truth,"  he  said,  "  What 
do  you  propose  to  do  about  it  ?  " 

"Nothing  whatever.  I  have  nothing  to  do  in  the 
case,"  the  other  replied,  with  slight  emphasis  on  the 
pronoun. 

211 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Then,  as  his  father  remained  silent,  he  continued  : 
"I  have  learned  nothing  new.  There  were  only  two 
hypotheses  possible  under  the  circumstances ;  my 
mother  inclined  to  the  more  charitable  one,  I  to  the 
other.  I  wished  to  ascertain  which  of  us  was  correct, 
but  you  evaded  the  issue  till  I  forced  you  to  it.  As  I 
said,  I  am  glad  to  find  that  what  I  believed  a  crime, 
was  but  a  mistake  ;  the  results  might  be  the  same,  but 
your  conscience  was  clear  so  long  as  you  were  ignorant 
of  any  error." 

"Yes,  it  was  a  mistake,"  Denning  responded 
gloomily. 

"  When  did  you  discover  it?  " 

' l  About  six  years  ago. ' ? 

"What!  And  you  have  made  no  attempt  in  all 
this  time  to  rectify  it  I " 

Denning  faced  his  son  with  the  look  of  a  desperate 
man :  "It  was  useless  to  attempt  it  then,  and  it  is 
equally  useless  to  attempt  it  now.  The  wrong  is  done 
and  it  can't  be  undone." 

His  words  and  the  look  accompanying  them  led  his 
son  to  believe  that  his  mind  was  becoming  affected  by 
the  strain — that  he  was  to  a  certain  extent  insane. 

"  Will  you  tell  me,"  he  asked,  with  forced  calmness, 
"why  it  cannot  be  undone!  " 

11  Because  I  would  be  a  ruined  man  within  a  week." 

"Why,  surely  now  that  you  are  absolutely  free,  this 
could  be  adjusted  between  yourself  and  your  wife  and 
your  marriage  legalized  without  injuring  your  interests 
or  your  reputation." 

"Do  you  think,"  said  Denning,  regaining  his  com- 
posure in  a  measure,  "  that  this  could  be  done,  even 
along  the  lines  you  suggest,  without  some  inkling  of 

212 


FACE  TO  FACE 

the  facts  leaking  out,  to  be  seized  upon,  magnified, 
distorted  and  used  by  calumniators  in  the  coming  cam- 
paign ?  No.  Well,  then  ;  supposing  there  could  be  no 
adjustment  between  myself  and  my  wife,  and  that  she, 
merciless,  implacable,  bruited  the  affair  far  and  wide, 
sent  it  broadcast  to  the  four  winds,  what  would  it 
mean  to  me  ? ' ' 

11  But  she  must  consent  to  a  legal  marriage  with  you 
for  the  sake  of  the  children " 

11  To  the  mere  ceremony  to  legitimize  them?  Yes  ; 
but  to  no  marriage  as  such.  She  would  brand  me, 
stigmatize  me,  ruin  me  socially  and  politically,  every 
way." 

"  But  surely  you  would  not  sacrifice  your  children's 
rights — their  very  name,  even — to  your  social  and 
political  ambitions!"  The  thought  of  Helen  oc- 
curred to  him  in  this  connection  and  he  forgot  for  the 
moment  that  she  was  his  sister  and  that  he  was  ad- 
dressing his  father  as  well  as  hers  :  "  Good  heavens, 
man  !"  he  exclaimed,  rising  in  his  agitation,  "  think 
of  your  daughter.  Would  you  sacrifice  that  beautiful 
girl — brand  her  as  illegitimate — for  any  political 
honors?" 

"My  daughter!"  Denning  ejaculated,  "what  do 
you  know  of  my  daughter? " 

"I  know  her  love  for  you ;  she  has  told  me  that 
much  herself." 

1 '  Helen  has  told  you  ?  Good  God  !  does  she  know  ?  " 

"My  errand  here  ?  No,  nor  the  relationship  between 
herself  and  myself;  nor  did  I  until  to-day." 

"But  how — when  did  you  meet ? " 

"  On  a  west-bound  train  recently.  We  were  fellow- 
passengers  for  a  number  of  days.  I  was  on  my  way 

213 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

to  Eockland  at  the  time,   but  was  delayed  by  an 
accident." 

Denning' s  face  underwent  a  swift  transformation  ; 
it  was  lighted  with  pleasure  as  he  sprang  to  his  feet, 
seizing  his  son's  hand  in  both  his  own. 

"It  was  you,  then,  my  boy,  who  saved  her  life  in 
that  wreck  !  I  know  the  whole  story,"  he  continued, 
without  allowing  him  to  speak  ;  "but  for  your  fore- 
thought, she  would  have  been  among  the  victims  in  the 
overturned  car.  It  is  I  who  am  indebted  to  you,  a  debt 
I  can  never  repay!  You  don't  know  what  she  is  to 
me !  You  can  have  anything — everything — you  want. ' ' 

"I  want  nothing — for  myself.  But  if  your  daugh- 
ter is  so  much  to  you,  have  you  no  thought  or  care  for 
her  in  this  matter  of  which  we  were  speaking  ?  " 

"I  think  I  can  convince  you  that  I  have  her  best 
interests  at  heart.  Let  us  sit  down." 

As  they  seated  themselves,  Denning  resumed :  "  You 
are  looking  at  this  from  a  hypothetical  and  theoretical 
standpoint ;  I,  from  a  practical.  You  are  speculating 
on  what  would  result  if  these  facts  were  brought  to 
light.  So  long  as  they  are  unknown,  there  is  no  rea- 
son why  matters  shouldn't  run  as  smoothly  for  ten 
years  to  come  as  for  ten  years  past.  By  that  time  I'll 
be  in  a  position  to  defy  my  enemies.  A  bit  of  scandal 
doesn't  hurt  a  United  States  senator  nowadays,  if  he 
has  plenty  of  money.  But  to  go  back  ;  who,  besides 
you  and  I,  knows  the  facts  in  this  case?" 

11 1  know  of  no  one." 

"And  it  is  evident  nothing  is  known  at  this  end  of 
the  line,  for  I've  been  through  two  campaigns  of  ink- 
slinging  and  mud-flinging  and  no  allusion  to  anything 
of  this  nature  has  been  made,  so  I  guess  I'm  immune." 

214 


FACE  TO  FACE 

"  Won't  my  coming  be  likely  to  cause  comment,  or 
arouse  suspicion  ? ' ' 

"  I  can  take  care  of  that.  Since  you  and  I  are  the 
only  ones  who  know  the  inside  facts,  how  are  they  to 
become  known  ? ' ' 

He  looked  steadily  at  his  son,  as  he  added,  with 
emphasis  :  "  You  are  a  Denning,  and  a  Denning  never 
yet  went  back  on  one  of  his  own  name  and  blood.  So, 
as  I  said,  there  is  no  reason  why  events  for  ten  years 
to  come  should  not  roll  on  smoothly  as  the  stars  in  their 
courses,  in  accordance  with  my  plans.  There  is  one 
side  ;  now,  let  us  look  at  the  other.  It  is  doubtful  if, 
under  any  circumstances,  remarriage  could  be  effected 
so  privately  but  that  the  facts  would  leak  out ;  under 
existing  circumstances,  they  would  be  exaggerated, 
misrepresented,  published  far  and  wide,  with  the  re- 
sult that  my  family  would  be  separated,  my  home 
broken  up,  my  political  prospects  ruined,  my  social 
and  financial  standing  lost — in  short,  I  would  be  an 
outcast — and  for  what  good  f  My  children  would  be 
legitimized  in  the  eyes  of  the  law,  but  in  the  eyes  of 
the  world  the  stigma  would  remain  the  same.  Now, 
candidly  and  fairly,  which  course  is  likely  to  bring  the 
most  happiness,  the  greater  good,  not  to  my  daughter 
alone,  but  to  all  of  us,  including  yourself  and 
myself  ? ' ' 

One  of  Denning' s  political  opponents  had  once  said 
of  him:  "He  should  have  been  a  lawyer;  when  he 
states  his  side  of  the  case,  there  simply  isn't  any  other 
side  left ;  he'll  make  you  believe  black  is  white,  every 
time." 

The  younger  man  was  silenced,  though  uncon- 
vinced ;  he  felt  that  he  was  right  and  his  father  was 

215 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

wrong,  but  that  further  appeal  was  useless.  He  made 
only  one  attempt. 

"Your  supposition  is  based  only  upon  the  most 
favorable  conditions.  What  would  result  in  case  of 
your  sudden  demise  and  investigations  that  might 
follow?" 

"  Everything  will  be  arranged  so  that  no  investiga- 
tion will  be  necessary.  The  law  will  have  nothing  to 
do  with  the  disposal  of  my  estate.  My  first  business 
will  be  to  make  a  will,  providing  a  certain  interest  for 
my  wife,  and  making  an  equal  division  among  my 
three  children,  and  my  executor  can  be  trusted  to  see 
that  my  last  wish  is  carried  out." 

Denning  had  risen  with  the  last  words  and  was 
walking  back  and  forth.  He  stopped,  laying  a  hand 
on  the  other's  shoulder. 

"  And  now,  my  son,  I  am  going  to  see  Helen  and 
prepare  her  for  meeting  her  brother,  and  she  will  then 
entertain  you  while  I  attend  to  some  work." 

"  I  have  taken  more  of  your  time  than  I  expected," 
said  the  other,  looking  at  his  watch  ;  "  it  is  later  than 
I  thought." 

"Our  interview  naturally  has  taken  considerable 
time — ah,  what  have  you  there,  a  portrait!  By  the 
way — it  hadn't  occurred  to  me  before — are  you 
married  ? ' ' 

"  No.     This  is  my  mother's  portrait." 

1  i  Tour  mother' s  1    May  I  see  it  ?  " 

As  he  placed  the  watch  in  his  father's  hands,  he 
heard  a  swift,  smothered  exclamation.  Denning 
studied  the  picture  silently  ;  time-hardened  though  he 
was,  he  felt  something  of  the  old  spell  of  those  ten- 
der, wistful  brown  eyes.  There  was  even  a  shade  of 

216 


FACE  TO  FACE 

regret  in  his  tone  as  he  returned  the  watch  to  his 
son: 

"  She  was  scarcely  more  than  a  child  when  I  knew 
her.  I  had  no  idea  she  would  develop  into  so 
beautiful  a  woman.  Excuse  me,  I  must  go  to  Helen.'7 

" Pardon  me;  how  will  you  explain  this  situation 
to  her?  She  has  seen  this  portrait." 

"Helen!" 

"Yes,  she  saw  it  incidentally — as  you  did  now — 
and  I  naturally  explained  whose  it  was." 

"Well,"  said  Denning,  after  a  pause,  "it  can't  be 
helped  now.  I  am  glad  you  told  me.  I  wouldn't 
want  her  to  find  me  trying  to  deceive  her  ;  and  I 
doubt  if  I  could  have  deceived  her,  I  never  have  yet 
— never  have  even  attempted  it." 

"And  you  expect  her  to  consent  to  your  keeping 
this  matter  a  secret,  as  you  intend  to  do?"  the 
younger  man  exclaimed,  increduously. 

"I  think,"  said  Denning,  with  studied  deliberation, 
' l  she  will  consent  to  what  is  for  the  best  interests  of 
all  concerned;"   and  with  these  words,  he  left  the 
room. 


217 


XX 

A  REVELATION 


AFTER  the  first  shock  of  surprise  on  learning  that 
Helen  must  be  told  the  facts  in  the  case,  Denning  felt 
a  positive  relief.  He  had  dreaded  the  inevitable  in- 
terview with  her.  He  could  not  look  into  her  eyes 
with  a  direct  lie  on  his  lips ;  he  knew  that  evasion  or 
prevarication  would  not  avail  with  her,  and  the  ques- 
tion of  what  was  to  be  revealed  and  what  concealed 
had  been  a  difficult  one  to  decide.  Now,  he  would 
state  the  facts — slightly  euphemized — and  trust  the 
results  to  her  love  for  him. 

It  seemed  comparatively  easy  as  he  closed  the  door 
between  himself  and  his  son  ;  it  seemed  less  easy  when 
he  stood  before  the  door  of  the  drawing  room  in  which 
Helen  was  seated.  He  had  traversed  only  a  narrow 
passage-way,  but  his  mind  worked  swiftly  and  a 
number  of  unpleasant  possibilities  had  occurred  to 
him. 

He  pushed  aside  the  heavy  curtain  and  stepped 
within.  Helen  was  gazing  pensively  out  of  the  win- 
dow, an  open  book,  unheeded,  on  her  lap.  She 
neither  saw  nor  heard  him,  but  that  sense  as  yet 
unnamed  told  her  of  his  presence  and  she  turned 
expectantly  toward  him,  with  something  like  suspense 
in  her  face. 

"  Father,  dear,  what  has  happened  ?  " 

She  rose  quickly  to  meet  him.  He  came  forward 
218 


A  REVELATION 

and,  without  speaking,  took  both  her  hands  in  his  and 
pushed  her  gently  back  into  her  chair ;  then  drew 
another  chair  beside  her. 

"  Helen,  do  you  remember  my  telling  you  once, 
years  ago,  that  I  had  done  what  I  thought  was  right, 
but  that  I  might  have  made  mistakes  and  some  day 
people  might  say  I  had  done  wrong  ?  " 

Strange  !  She  had  been  recalling  that  very  conver- 
sation and  the  promise  she  had  given  him. 

"Yes,  I  remember,"  she  replied  in  a  low,  but 
steady  voice. 

11 1  said  nothing  definite  at  the  time,  for  I  "hoped  I 
might  never  have  occasion  to  allude  to  the  matter 
again,  but  circumstances  compel  it  now.  I  made  at 
one  time,  Helen,  a  terrible  mistake.  Something 
which  I  did,  supposing  it  tx>  be  perfectly  legitimate 
and  right,  owing  to  conditions  of  which  I  had  no 
knowledge  at  the  time,  proved  to  be  wrong,  an 
irretrievable  wrong — something  which  the  law  calls 
a  crime — and  yet,  I  committed  it  unintentionally, 
unknowingly.  Do  you  see  the  situation,  Helen? " 

"  I  do,  father."  She  had  grown  very  pale,  but  her 
tones  were  steady  and  composed.  "But  you  are  at 
least  morally  innocent  so  long  as  the  wrong  was 
unintentional." 

"Granted,  Helen;  but  that  doesn't  lessen  the 
wrong  done  others,  and  might  have  very  little  weight 
with  the  public,  were  the  facts  to  become  known." 

"Oh,  was  the  wrong  one  that  involved  others? 
Have  others  had  to  suffer  for  this  mistake?"  she 
asked,  a  new  element  of  dismay  in  her  tone. 

"  Others  were  wronged,  Helen,  but,  so  far,  no  one 
has  suffered,  for  the  reason  that  the  facts,  as  yet,  are 

219 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

not  known,  and  it  is  only  in  the  event  of  their  becom- 
ing known,  that  any  harm  can  result.  "Wait,  dear ; 
hear  me  through.  If  I,  in  an  attempt  to  right  this 
matter,  were  to  make  the  facts  known  to  the  parties 
wronged,  it  would  only  bring  wretchedness  and  misery 
into  the  balance  of  their  lives  and  mine.  Under  such 
conditions,  I  have  considered  myself  justified  in  keep- 
ing silent,  and  I  am  only  speaking  of  this  to  you 
because  circumstances  have  arisen  which  compel  my 
doing  so." 

Helen  felt  that  her  intuitions  were  about  to  be 
verified. 

II  Of  course,  I  don't  know  the  situation,"  she  said, 
"  I  can't  even  conceive  what  it  can  be  j  but  father,  I 
can't  believe  that  any  conditions  would  justify  the 
concealing  of  a  wrong,   especially  one  in  which  the 
interests  of  others  were  involved.     One  question,  first, 
please," — she  saw  that  he  was  about  to  speak — u  You 
have  had  a  caller,  on  business  ; — have  you  not  ? — has 
that  anything  to  do  with  this  matter,  this  wrong  which 
you  say  is  unknown  !  " 

"It  has  everything  to  do  with  it,"  Denning  replied, 
surprised.  ' '  But  what  do  you  know  regarding  my  call- 
er ?  Have  you  seen  him  ?  Do  you  know  who  he  is  ?  " 

I 1 1  met  him  at  the  station  where  we  stopped  last 
and  he  told  me  he  had  business  with  you.     I  don't 
know  him,  except  that " — she  met  her  father's  search- 
ing gaze  calmly — "  he  is  the  one  who  saved  my  life  in 
the  wreck, — did  you  know  that  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  learned  it  incidentally.  You  did  not  ascer- 
tain the  name  of  your  l  hero '  then  ?  I  would  suppose 
you  would  have  done  that." 

"  He  was  unwilling  to  give  his  name." 
220 


A  REVELATION 

Denning  silently  drew  her  to  him  with  unusual 
tenderness. 

"Does  he  know  this — this  secret?"  she  asked, 
dreading  the  reply. 

"Yes." 

"  And  does  he  approve  of  keeping  it  a  secret?" 

"I  believe  he  thinks,  as  I  do,  that  it  is  the  only 
course  to  pursue.  But  I  came  here,  Helen,  to  tell  you 
the  facts  in  the  case  ;  when  you  have  heard  them  you 
can  judge  for  yourself.  You  should  be  a  competent 
judge,  for  you  are  one  of  the  wronged  parties  ;  I  only 
hope  you  will  be  a  merciful  one,  likewise." 

"I  !  "  she  exclaimed  incredulously. 

"  Yes ;  you,  your  mother  and  your  brother,  Kings- 
ley  are  the  ones  I  have  unintentionally  wronged." 

Something  in  his  tone  and  manner  awakened  in  her 
a  strange  foreboding  of  some  evil  beyond  her  thought ; 
she  waited  silently  for  him  to  proceed. 

"  I  couldn't  look  you  in  the  face  after  what  I  am 
about  to  tell  you  except  for  the  fact  that,  as  I  say,  I 
sinned  unknowingly.  When  I  married  your  imother, 
Helen,  I  did  so  with  as  honorable  intent  as  ever  a  man 
had.  But  there  had  been  a  chapter  in  my  life  of 
which  no  one — not  even  my  friend  Hollingshead — had 
any  knowledge  ;  a  chapter  which  I  supposed  was  for- 
ever closed  and  sealed.  Years  before,  while  I  was  a 
young  man,  I  contracted  an  unhappy  marriage.  It 
was  an  unfortunate  affair  for  both  parties  and  we  very 
soon  separated.  I  went  to  South  America  and  was 
there  for  ten  years.  After  my  return,  I  learned — inci- 
dentally, but  on  good  authority — that  the  woman 
whom  I  had  married  was  dead,  had  died  during  my 
absence.  That  was  all  I  knew  or  cared  to  know.  I 

221 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

did  not  think  then  I  would  ever  care  to  remarry. 
Afterward,  I  met  and  married  yonr  mother.  Not 
until  years  after, — when  you  had  grown  to  woman- 
hood— did  I  learn  of  the  fearful  mistake  I  had  made. 
Then  it  was  I  discovered  that  the  other  woman — my 
first  wife — was  still  living." 

Denning  heard  a  gasp,  a  smothered  exclamation, 
and  hurriedly  continued  his  narrative  :  "I discovered 
it  through  the  very  man  who  had  told  me  years  before 
of  her  death ;  he  had  learned  his  mistake,  and  on 
meeting  me  after  all  those  years,  told  me,  not  knowing 
in  either  instance  that  the  woman  was  my  wife.  Talk 
about  the  irony  of  Fate  ! " 

So  unexpected  had  been  the  nature  of  the  revela- 
tion that  Helen  was  at  first  stunned,  bewildered,  but 
she  soon  recovered  her  faculties  and  began  to  grasp 
the  full  significance  of  the  situation ;  her  mother's 
false  position,  her  brother's,  her  own — so  long  as  she 
was  believed  to  be  Denning' s  child.  In  the  light  of 
this  revelation,  the  look  of  amazement  and  pain  in 
her  companion's  face,  on  his  learning  that  she  was 
Denning' s  daughter,  took  on  a  new  and  bitter  mean- 
ing. No  wonder  he  had  seemed  suddenly  estranged  ! 
No  wonder  that  his  words  at  parting  had  seemed  to 
imply  that  their  pleasant  relationship  was  something 
of  the  past !  Her  cheeks  flamed  at  the  thought,  her 
temples  throbbed  with  shame  and  humiliation,  her 
eyes  filled  with  burning  tears  of  mortification  that 
pride  alone  kept  from  falling. 

"From  that  day  to  this,"  Denning  was  saying,  "  I 
have  lived  with  this  secret  hanging  over  my  head,  not 
knowing  what  a  day  might  bring  forth ;  knowing 
only  that  so  long  as  there  was  no  remedy  for  the 

222 


A  REVELATION 

evil,  the  only  safety  for  my  family  or  myself  lay  in 
silence." 

11  But  father,  is  there  no  remedy  ?  "  Helen  demanded 
earnestly,  sitting  suddenly  erect  before  him  with 
burning  cheeks  and  shining  eyes. 

Denning  was  disappointed  ;  he  had  appealed  to  her 
sympathy,  but  only  her  sense  of  justice  was  aroused. 

"Yes,"  he  said,  sitting  back  in  his  chair  and  facing 
her  with  a  touch  of  defiance  in  his  manner ;  ll  there  is 
a  remedy.  I  have  to-day  received  word  of  my  first 
wife's  death.  I  am  now  entirely  free  from  that 
marriage " 

"Was  that  your  visitor's  errand?"  she  interposed 
in  astonishment. 

"Yes.  As  I  said,  I  am  free.  The  rest  is  easy. 
Simply  to  confess  to  your  mother  what  I  have  already 
told  you  ;  receive  her  full  and  free  forgiveness,  have 
a  joyful  remarriage  and  live  in  felicity  ever  after." 

At  the  mention  of  her  mother's  forgiveness,  Helen 
suddenly  recoiled ;  now,  as  the  bitter,  sarcastic  tones 
ceased,  she  buried  her  face  in  her  hands. 

After  a  moment  of  silence,  Denning  spoke  her 
name  gently : 

"Helen!" 

There  was  neither  response  nor  movement  on  her 
part. 

He  raised  her  head,  drawing  it  against  his  shoulder. 

"Helen,  I  did  not  mean  to  hurt  you;  I  only  in- 
tended to  show  you  the  futility  of  your  hope,  the 
hopelessness  of  the  situation  from  that  standpoint." 

She  lifted  a  pale,  despairing  face,  her  eyes  tearless 
and  heavy  with  pain. 

"I  see  it  all,"  she  replied  wearily;  "Mamma 
223 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

would  never  forgive  you.  It  would  break  up  our 
home  and  spoil  all  our  lives, — and  yet — I  suppose  we 
ought  to  do  right  at  any  sacrifice." 

11  Not  when  practically  the  same  end  can  be  attained 
without  sacrifice,"  Denning  replied  decisively. 

Briefly  he  went  over  much  the  same  argument  he 
had  used  with  his  son,  until  Helen,  like  him,  was 
silenced  though  unconvinced. 

"And  now,"  said  Denning,  "  I  have  promised  my 
visitor — and  your  recent  travelling  acquaintance — 
that  you  should  entertain  him  while  I  attend  to  my 
work ' ' 

11  "Won't  you  spare  me  that,  father?"  Helen  inter- 
posed, drawing  herself  up  coldly.  "  You  surely  can- 
not expect  me  to  meet  him,  knowing  the  situation  as 
I  do  now — and  that  he  knows  it  also." 

Denning  smiled  for  the  first  time  during  the 
interview  : 

"I  want  you  to  meet  my  son,  Helen." 

"Your  son  !" 

' '  My  son  and  your  brother,  Thomas  Macavoy  Den- 
ning, Jr." 

In  the  sudden  overturning  of"  her  preconceived 
ideas  by  this  announcement,  Helen  felt  for  an  in- 
stant as  though  in  a  state  of  mental  chaos.  As  the 
atmosphere  cleared,  however,  her  thoughts  re- 
verted to  that  scene  aboard  the  train  just  before  the 
wreck;  the  portrait  her  companion  had  shown  her, 
his  words  concerning  his  mother  and  her  recent  death, 
and  of  the  father  he  had  never  known — and  all  was 
clear. 

"He  came  to  me,"  her  father  was  saying,  "in  ful- 
filment of  a  pledge  given  his  mother  ;  with  a  message 

224 


A  REVELATION 

from  her  which  he  had  promised  to  deliver  to  me  in 
person,  after  her  death." 

Helen  scarcely  heard.  Other  memories  of  that 
journey  were  crowding  upon  her  thoughts,  and  with 
this  new  knowledge  had  come  another  explanation  of 
the  change  which  had  seemed  so  mysterious.  Again 
her  thoughts  brought  the  deepening  color  to  her 
cheeks,  but  from  a  far  different  cause  than  shame. 

"I  will  call  your  brother  now,"  her  father  said, 
rising,  "  and  leave  him  in  your  care  for  a  while." 

"But,"  she  protested,  half  laughing,  "he  is  not 
my  brother,  you  know  ;  not  really." 

11  Am  I  not  your  father,  Helen?  or  do  you  intend 
to  repudiate  me  now?"  He  asked  the  question 
playfully,  but  with  a  slight  accent  of  reproach. 

"  Haven't  I  given  my  promise  to  stand  by  you, 
daddy  dear  ! ' '  she  replied,  using  the  familiar  term  of 
her  childhood.  "  And  haven't  I  heard  you  say  that 
no  Denning  ever  yet  went  back  on  his  word  ?  " 

"If  you  are  a  Denning,  you  are  his  sister,"  he 
retorted,  adding  more  seriously:  "He  so  considers 
you,  Helen,  and  I  think  it  best  he  should.  You  will 
naturally  seem  nearer  to  him  if  he  regards  you  as  his 
own  flesh  and  blood." 

"  And  likewise  be  guilty  of  obtaining  his  regard 
'under  false  pretences';"  she  laughed  a  little  nerv- 
ously. "I  will  accede  to  your  wishes,  however, 
unless" — with  an  inscrutable  little  smile — "  it  should 
prove  too  much  of  an  imposition  for  my  conscience  to 
allow." 

When  she  found  herself  alone,  her  smile  deepened. 

"We  will  await  developments,  Mr.  Denning,  Jr.," 
she  soliloquized.  "  If  I  really  l  seem  nearer '  to  you  as 
15  225 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

a  sister  and  you  are  perfectly  satisfied  with  that  sort 
of  relationship,  you  will  never  learn  the  truth  from 
me;  otherwise, " 

The  sound  of  returning  footsteps  cut  short  the 
second  premise.  She  rose  from  her  chair  as  her 
father  entered,  standing  with  perfect  composure  as  he 
presented  his  son.  Her  color  changed  as  their  eyes 
met,  but  that  was  the  only  sign  of  agitation  on  her 
part.  He  was  pale,  and  his  dark  eyes,  shadowed 
•with  gloom,  had  in  them  a  look  of  appeal. 

"Macavoy,  your  sister,  Helen.  I  don't  imagine 
from  what  I've  heard  that  you  require  a  very  elabo- 
rate introduction,  and  I  will  ask  you  both  to  excuse 
me  for  a  while,  as  I  have  some  business  demanding 
immediate  attention." 

They  both  felt  a  sense  of  relief  when  left  alone. 
To  young  Denning  himself,  his  father's  presence 
just  then  would  have  seemed  intolerable. 

Helen,  with  a  smiling  gesture,  indicated  the  chair 
beside  her  which  her  father  had  vacated,  saying  with 
an  attempt  at  lightness,  as  she  seated  herself : 

11  Fate  has  played  us  a  strange  trick  and  it  appears 
that  we  must  adapt  ourselves  accordingly." 

"We  do  seem  to  be  puppets  in  her  hands  to-day," 
he  replied  rather  bitterly. 

11  But  I  think  her  stock  of  surprises  must  be  about 
exhausted  by  this  time,"  she  rejoined,  as  cheerfully 
as  possible,  conscious  at  the  same  time  that  she  herself 
could  give  the  young  man  at  her  side  a  surprise  that 
would  fittingly  climax  the  rest.  "  And  since  she  has 
given  us  each  such  a  very  unexpected  role,  it  is  at 
least  fortunate  that  we  have  met  before,  that  we  don't 
have  to  begin  as  strangers." 

226 


A  REVELATION 

"Do  you  consider  our  former  meeting  fortunate  in 
the  light  of — of  what  has  occurred  since?  " 

He  was  verging  towards  dangerous  ground  ;  she 
must  ward  him  off. 

"It  certainly  was  fortunate  for  me,"  she  replied; 
"  I  probably  would  not  be  here  now,  but  for  that." 

She  regretted  having  said  it  when  she  saw  the  look 
of  pain  caused  by  her  wilful  misapplication  of  his 
words. 

"That  was  not  in  my  thoughts  at  all,"  he  answered 
gloomily,  i '  and  I  wish  you  would  please  not  mention 
it  again.  Do  you  mean  to  say, — Miss  Denning,"  he 
continued,  coming  closer,  his  eyes  searching  her  face, 
"do  you  mean  to  say  that  you  can  recall  the  past 
without  regret  ? ' ' 

Helen's  color  deepened  as  she  paused  before  reply- 
ing :  "You  must  not  misunderstand  me,"  she  said 
gently,  the  blue- veined  lids  with  their  upward  curl- 
ing lashes  veiling  the  brown  eyes  from  his  scrutiny. 

"I  think  I  am  only  doing  what  you  seemed  to  wish. 
Your  parting  words,  as  we  separated  this  morning, 
were  that  you  hoped  I  would  think  kindly  of  the  past. 
I  do  remember  it  kindly  and" — she  hesitated,  lifting 
her  eyes  fearlessly,  but  with  a  look  in  them  he  could 
not  fathom — "  without  regret." 

Her  eyes  robbed  her  words  of  the  sting  they  might 
otherwise  have  contained ;  he  looked  relieved,  but 
unsatisfied. 

"I  don't  want  to  misunderstand  you,"  he  said 
slowly,  ' '  but  I  am  sure  I  do  not  understand  you,  Miss 
Denning." 

"  Possibly  you  will  later,  as  we  become  better  ac- 
quainted," she  replied  in  a  lighter  tone.  "  At  present, 

227 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

*» 

we  must  adapt  ourselves  to  present  conditions,  and  as 
a  first  step  on  your  part,  you  must  call  me  just  plain 
'Helen.'  " 

" Thank  you,"  he  smiled,  "that  should  be  easy." 

11  But  it's  not  so  easy  for  me  to  decide  what  to  call 
you,"  she  rejoined;  "  'Macavoy'  seems  to  belong  so 
essentially  to  father,  while  to  call  you  l  Thomas,' 
would  be  to  relegate  you  to  ages  past  and  gone  ;  that 
has  been  our  grandfathers'  name,  you  know,  from 
generation  to  generation." 

11  No,  I  did  not  know,"  said  the  other,  "  I  have  no 
knowledge  whatever  regarding  my  father's  family.  I 
have  usually  been  called  '  Tom,'  having  always  lived 
where  I  was  known  from  childhood." 

"  'Tom'  ;"  she  repeated  reflectively;  "I  like  that; 
it  has  a  companionable  sound  ;  reliable,  too.  Names 
are  usually  suggestive  of  character  to  me.  *  Ned '  for 
instance,  always  suggests  sociability,  an  all-round  good 
fellow;  'Harry'  and  'Dick'  jolly,  devil-may-care 
fellows,  but  not  half  bad,  after  all.  But  '  Tom '  ought 
to  be  a  good,  staunch  comrade ;  the  sort,  you  know, 
one  could  depend  upon — if  trouble  came." 

She  uttered  the  last  words  half  under  breath,  with 
an  involuntary  glance  at  her  companion's  face,  and  he 
read  in  her  eyes,  something  between  an  appeal  and  a 
challenge. 

"You  can  depend  upon  me,  Helen,  if  trouble 
comes,"  he  replied  quickly,  adding  :  "My  father  told 
you  my  errand, — did  he  not? — to  try  to  avert  the 
possibility  of  trouble  for  him  and  his  ? ' ' 

"He  said  something  regarding  your  bringing  a 
message,  from  your  mother ;  but  nothing  as  to  its 
import." 


A  REVELATION 

He  hesitated  a  moment;  then  drawing  the  letter 
from  his  pocket,  placed  it  in  Helen's  hands,  saying : 

11  There  is  the  message;  read  it  for  yourself.  It 
will  tell  you,  better  than  I  can,  my  reason  for  what  I 
have  done  to-day." 

11  But  Tom, — your  mother's  letter  to  your  father — 
her  husband — ought  I  to  read  it? " 

"  I  would  rather  you  did.  It  may  tell  you — what  I 
cannot ;  and  because  of  what  is  past,  I  would  like  you 
to  know  all." 

She  opened  the  letter  and  began  reading,  the  young 
man  watching  her  meanwhile.  After  the  first  few 
lines,  she  stopped ;  her  eyes  met  his  wonderingly, 
inquiringly. 

"My  father  said  in  speaking  of  his  first  marriage, 
that  it  was  unhappy,  an  unfortunate  affair,  and  that 
they  separated,  but" — she  glanced  again  at  the  page 
before  her — "this  does  not  read  like  a  separation, 
mutually  agreed  upon.  Did  he — did  my  father  desert 
her?" 

"  He  did." 

11  How  long  had  they  been  married? " 

11  About  a  month." 

"Oh!" 

It  was  hardly  an  exclamation  ;  it  sounded  more  like  a 
low  moan,  as  though  she  were  hurt.  She  resumed  her 
reading,  continuing,  without  further  question,  to  the 
end.  When  she  had  finished,  her  hands,  still  holding 
the  letter,  dropped  to  her  lap  and  she  sat  with  face 
averted,  looking  out  of  the  window  but  seeing 
nothing.  When  she  again  faced  him,  her  eyes  were 
misty  and  her  lips  trembled  slightly  as  she  spoke. 

"And  your  mother,  after  thirty  years  of  desertion, 
229 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

wrote  that  letter  to  the  man  who  deserted  her,  in 
the  hope  of  righting  matters  for  him  and  for  his 
family ! ' ' 

"That  was  her  sole  object.  She  tried  to  do  all  she 
could  to  right  the  wrong." 

"She  not  only  forgave  him,  but  asked  his  forgive- 
ness, dear  heart !  Think  of  it ! "  and  with  a  hasty, 
surreptitious  dab,  Helen  whisked  away  a  tear  that 
glistened  on  the  curling  lashes. 

"Helen,"  said  the  other  earnestly,  "cannot  my 
mother's  wish  be  consummated!  Cannot  this  matter 
be  set  right,  quietly,  and  without  the  publicity  and 
evil  results  which  my  father  fears?  What  is  your 
candid  opinion  ? ' ' 

Her  eyes  met  his  frankly  but  sorrowfully  :  "  You 
have  trusted  me  and  I  will  trust  you,  Tom.  It  could 
be  set  right,  if — if  my  mother  were  like  your 
mother." 

After  a  moment's  silence,  she  continued  :  "If  father 
had  told  my  mother  when  he  first  learned — of  the 
mistake,  you  know — it  might  perhaps,  have  been 
different,  though,  of  course,  she  would  have  left  him 
then.  But  now, — she  would  never  forgive  him  ! " 

As  she  returned  the  letter,  she  remarked  with  a 
smile:  "What  a  strange  errand  for  you!  Such 
a  message,  and  to  a  father  whom  you  had  never 
seen !" 

"I  don't  mind  confessing  to  you,"  he  replied, 
"that  up  to  a  certain  point,  I  was  simply  acting  in 
deference  to  my  mother's  wish,  her  request ;  I  had 
little  personal  feeling  in  the  matter." 

"  Until — when  !  "  she  inquired. 

"  Until  I  learned — who  you  were.  Then,  I  had  a 
230 


A  REVELATION 

double  incentive,  never  imagining  for  a  moment  there 
would  be  any  obstacle  in  the  way  of  its  accomplish- 
ment. I  think,"  he  added  sadly,  "if  I  could  have 
seen  the  absolute  failure  it  would  prove,  I  would  have 
been  tempted  to  turn  back  with  my  commission 
unfulfilled." 

11 1  am  very  glad  you  did  not,"  she  replied  quietly, 
but  with  unmistakable  emphasis. 

He  was  puzzled  at  her  words.  Conscious  of  his 
own  bitter  sense  of  disappointment  and  personal 
loss  in  this  new  relationship,  he  felt  an  added  pain  at 
finding  no  indication  of  regret  on  her  part.  Had  she 
failed  to  understand  him  in  the  past  I  That  could  not 
be  possible.  He- watched  her  in  silence,  for  a  while  ; 
then  leaning  forward  for  a  better  view  of  her  face, 
said,  "Helen,  my  father  has  asked  me  to  stay — 
permanently — in  Bockland." 

He  saw  a  flash  of  surprise  and  a  wave  of  color,  but 
her  eyes  dropped  before  his  earnest  gaze  and  the  flush 
receded  like  a  spent  wave  on  the  shore,  leaving  her 
cheek  almost  colorless.  He  could  not  tell  whether  it 
meant  pleasure  or  pain. 

"  He  has  offered  me  the  position  of  cashier  in  his 
bank,"  he  continued,  "if  I  will  remain.  I  demurred 
at  accepting,  but  he  would  not  let  me  give  him  a  final 
answer  to-day.  There  are  reasons  for  and  against  my 
remaining.  There  are  reasons  why  I  do  not  feel  like 
making  the  decision  entirely  for  myself.  Will  you 
help  me  in  this  decision?" — he  bent  closer — "Will 
you  let  me  know  your  choice  ? ' ' 

"It  is  not  necessary  now,"  she  replied  in  low, 
steady  tones,  but  without  looking  up,  "since  you  have 
time  in  which  to  give  your  answer.  Perhaps,  after 

231 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

a  few  days,  you  -will  be  able  to  decide  for  yourself, 
without  any — suggestion — from  me." 

"It  isn't  so  much  that  I  am  unable,  as  unwilling, 
to  make  the  decision  myself.  You  must  understand 
me,  Helen  ;  you  surely  will  not  refuse." 

"  I  haven't  refused."  She  smiled  as  her  eyes  met 
his. 

"Then  you  will  help  me?  You  will  give  me  your 
choice — honestly  and  candidly — when  I  ask  it?" 

"  I  will,  since  it  is  your  wish." 

Having  gained  her  promise,  he  was  forced  to  be 
content,  though  he  was  none  the  wiser. 


232 


XXI 

"EVERY  MAN  HAS  HIS  PRICE" 

NEARLY  a  week  passed  and  the  matter  of  young 
Denning' s  permanent  stay  in  Eockland  was  still  un- 
decided. Two  or  three  times  he  had  broached  the  sub- 
ject, in  conversation  with  his  father,  but  the  latter, 
detecting  a  reluctance  on  the  part  of  the  other  to 
accept  his  proposition,  urged  a  few  days'  longer  delay. 
Aside  from  his  personal  feeling  in  the  matter,  the 
younger  man  feared  that  his  presence  in  Eockland 
might  tend  to  precipitate  the  very  crisis  his  father  was 
determined  to  avoid. 

Denning  himself  at  first  may  have  felt  the  same 
apprehension.  It  certainly  was  not  without  some 
trepidation  that  he  awaited  the  results  of  his  inter- 
view with  the  reporters  who  boarded  the  private  car  a 
few  miles  outside  of  Eockland,  eager  for  his  views  on 
the  political  situation.  Denning  had  made  a  study  of 
newspaper  men  and  was  popular  with  them.  They 
got  his  opinions  of  the  political  outlook  and  a 
11  scoop"  besides.  He  stated  a  few  facts, — frankly 
and  fearlessly  as  though  there  were  nothing  to  conceal 
— but  in  a  way  that  he  knew  would  lead  them  to  draw 
certain  inferences  quite  wide  of  the  real  truth.  As  a 
result,  the  evening  papers  informed  the  public  that : 

The  Hon.  Thomas  Macavoy  Denning  returned  this 
afternoon    from    a    tour   throughout    the    State.     He 
233 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

reports  most  favorably  upon  the  political  situation. 
Everything  points  to  a  decisive  victory  at  the  coming 
election. 

Mr.  Denning  -was  accompanied  throughout  his  tour 
by  his  daughter,  Miss  Helen  Denning,  and  on  his  re- 
turn trip  by  Mr.  Thomas  Macavoy  Denning,  Jr.,  a  son 
by  a  former  marriage,  who  has  heretofore  made  his 
home  in  the  East.  Owing  to  some  domestic  difficulty 
in  his  early  married  life,  Mr.  Denning  went  to  South 
America  and  engaged  in  business  for  a  number  of  years. 
While  there,  his  son  was  born,  but  as  Mr.  Denning  was 
not  at  that  time  in  communication  with  his  family,  he 
knew  nothing  of  his  birth,  or  of  the  mother's  con- 
sequent death,  until  after  his  return  to  the  United 
States,  several  years  later.  Naturally,  on  account  of  un- 
pleasant associations,  he  felt  little  desire  to  see  the 
child.  At  the  same  time,  business  called  him  West, 
where  he  has  since  remained,  with  the  result  that, 
though  contributing  to  the  support  and  education  of  his 
child,  father  and  son  had  never  met  until  within  the 
last  few  days. 

Mr.  Denning,  Jr.,  is  a  man  verging  toward  thirty,  of 
most  prepossessing  manners,  and  the  resemblance  be- 
tween him  and  his  father  is  most  striking,  not  only  in 
personal  appearance,  but  in  their  individual  tastes  as 
well,  extending  even  to  business  life  ;  the  son  having 
entered  a  bank  immediately  upon  his  graduation  from 
college,  where  he  has  steadily  risen  to  the  position  of 
head  cashier. 

Mr.  Denning  is  anxious  to  have  his  son  remain  in 
the  West  and  with  that  object  in  view,  has,  we  under- 
stand, made  him  a  handsome  offer ;  but  the  latter 
wishes  to  look  around  a  little  before  coming  to  a 
decision.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  Mr.  Denning,  Jr.,  will 
decide  to  remain  with  us,  as  he  will  prove  a  valuable 
acquisition  to  Rockland,  both  socially  and  financially. 

An  additional  pleasant  feature  of  this  first  meeting 
between  father  and  son  was  furnished  by  the  discovery 
that  the  latter  was  the  unknown  hero  who,  by  his 

234 


"EVERY  MAN  HAS  HIS  PRICE" 

bravery  and  forethought,  saved  the  life  of  Miss  Denning 
in  the  recent  railway  disaster,  and  whose  name  she  was 
then  unable  to  ascertain.  Of  course,  neither,  at  the 
time,  dreamed  of  the  relationship  between  them,  but 
upon  their  introduction  as  brother  and  sister,  this 
additional  discovery  was  made. 

In  the  case  of  his  wife,  Denning  was  careful  to  fore- 
stall the  newspaper  account  with  a  version  of  his  own, 
similar  to  the  one  given  the  reporters,  but  more 
elaborated.  As  she  was  not  gifted  with  acumen,  her 
suspicions  were  not  easily  aronsed.  The  present  fact 
of  another  son,  who,  as  the  elder,  might  in  some  ways 
be  given  precedence  over  her  own,  was  of  far  more 
vital  importance  in  her  eyes  than  the  past  fact  of  a 
prior  marriage  and  its  outcome,  whether  happy  or 
otherwise. 

"Why  have  I  not  known  this  before1?"  she 
demanded.  "Why  have  you  led  me  to  believe  by 
your  words  and  actions,  all  these  years,  that  Kingsley 
was  your  only  son?" 

"I  suppose,"  said  Denning,  with  an  air  of  ab- 
straction, l l  it  was  the  natural  and  unconscious  effect  of 
my  own  attitude  in  the  matter.  Owing  to  unpleasant 
associations,  which  I  have  no  wish  to  recall," — he 
drew  a  heavy  sigh — "  the  thought  of  the  boy  as  my 
son  so  seldom  occurred  to  me,  that  I  was,  as  you 
might  say,  to  a  certain  extent  at  least,  unconscious  of 
his  existence  until  he  recalled  himself  to  me.  I  had, 
in  fact,  so  completely  forgotten  him  that  it  really 
gave  me  something  of  a  shock  when  he  announced 
himself." 

11  He  showed  decidedly  poor  taste,  I  should  say,  to 
recall  himself  under  such  conditions  ;  but  probably  his 

235 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

father's  millions  proved  too  strong  an  attraction  for 
him  to  remain  longer  in  the  background." 

"  There's  where  you  are  entirely  wrong,  Marian. 
He  is  in  perfectly  independent  circumstances  and 
absolutely  refused  any  favors.  He  has  no  need  of  me, 
but  I  do  need  him  in  my  business  and  I  have  made 
him  a  good  offer " 

"Which  he  has  undoubtedly  accepted  ! " 

"  Not  yet,  but  he  will  if  I  can  persuade  him  to  do 
so.  He  is  a  splendid  business  man — just  the  sort  of 
son  I  had  always  hoped  for,"  he  could  not  refrain 
from  adding. 

11  How  fortunate  !  I  congratulate  you.  If  he  is  so 
entirely  independent  of  you,  what  was  his  object  in 
introducing  himself  to  your  notice  ? ' ' 

"  Perhaps  to  gratify  a  natural  curiosity,  as  much 
as  anything,"  was  the  indifferent  reply.  UI  didn't 
inquire  definitely  into  his  reasons  for  coming ;  it's 
enough  for  me  that  he  is  here,  and  he  will  remain 
here  if  it  is  in  my  power  to  keep  him." 

In  his  private  sitting  room,  Denning  found  his  son 
and  Helen,  each  with  an  evening  paper.  The  former 
did  not  speak  as  he  entered  the  room,  and  the  face 
behind  the  printed  sheet  was  cold  and  forbidding. 
Helen  looked  up  from  her  reading  with  a  little  flash 
of  indignation  in  her  eyes. 

"  Father  have  you  seen  the  BuUetin  ?  "  she  inquired 
quickly. 

"  I  glanced  at  it  on  my  way  up  ;  why  do  you  ask  ? 
Isn't  it  all  right?" 

"In  the  main  5  but  there  are  some  things  in  it 
absurdly  untrue.  Surely,  you  did  not  give  them 
authority  for  those  statements?  " 

236 


"EVERY  MAN  HAS  HIS  PRICE" 

"My  dear,  you  should  know — and  I'm  sure  Maca- 
voy  does  know — that  newspaper  men  make  up  their 
'stories'  pretty  much  to  suit  themselves,  using  the 
facts  given  them  merely  as  a  foundation  on  which  they 
rear  the  superstructure  that  best  pleases  their  fancy. 
I  gave  the  boys  nothing  but  facts,  and  really  I  thought 
they  had  done  a  very  creditable  piece  of  work.  What 
do  you  think  of  it,  Macavoy ? ' ' 

"It  is  better  than  I  expected,"  his  son  replied 
calmly,  but  with  an  emphasis  on  the  last  word  that 
Helen  understood  and  that  brought  a  flush  of 
mortification  to  her  cheek  for  her  father's  sake. 

"Are  you  used  to  dealing  with  those  fellows?" 
Denning  asked  his  son. 

"Reporters?  I've  had  considerable  experience  with 
them." 

Denning  rehearsed  the  main  points  which  he  had 
given  in  that  day's  interview. 

"I  think,"  he  said  in  conclusion,  "that  we  had 
both  better  stick  pretty  closely  to  the  same  general 
outline.  Those  will  do  for  the  main  facts  ;  of  course, 
you  can  add  any  little  embellishments  you  please." 

"The  plain  facts  will  do  for  me,"  Macavoy  replied 
dryly.  "  I  will  leave  the  *  embellishments'  to  you  ;  I 
think  they  are  more  in  your  line  than  mine." 

Denning  laughed,  but  a  trifle  uneasily ;  and  went  to 
his  dressing  room  to  prepare  for  dinner. 

Helen,  who  had  again  taken  up  the  paper,  sud- 
denly glanced  at  Macavoy  in  time  to  catch  the 
slightly  satirical  smile  with  which  he  answered  his 
father. 

"How  stupid  I  have  been  ! "  she  exclaimed. 

"  You  surely  cannot  have  discovered  that  in  the 
237 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

he  replied,  laughing,  "or  if  you  have,  the 
article  is  certainly  libellous." 

"No,  I  plead  guilty,"  she  answered;  "I  don't 
know  whatever  possessed  me  to  be  so  dense.  Do  you 
know,  from  our  first  meeting,  there  was  something 
familiar  in  your  face — at  times,  not  always.  It 
recalled  some  memory,  but  so  dim  and  fleeting,  I 
couldn't  fix  it.  Now  I  know  what  it  was.  This 
speaks  of  your  striking  resemblance  to  father ;  I  don't 
see  much  resemblance  between  you  as  he  looks  now, 
but  when  you  look  stern  and  determined — or  as  you 
did  a  minute  ago — you  remind  me  of  father  as  he 
looked  when  I  first  saw  him,  years  ago  you  know." 

His  dark  eyes  regarded  her  quizzically  :  ' c  When 
you  first  saw  him!"  he  repeated  incredulously; 
"Pardon  me,  but  you  must  have  a  remarkable 
memory  if  you  can  recall  your  first  sight  of  your 
father  ! " 

' '  How  delightful  to  have  a  teazing  big  brother  at 
last !  Something  for  which  I've  always  envied  my 
girl  friends,"  she  rejoined,  laughing  at  the  absurdity 
of  his  suggestion  and  coloring  with  vexation  to  find 
she  had  so  nearly  betrayed  herself;  "I  intended  to 
say,  as  I  first  remembered  him." 

"My  mother  always  told  me  I  resembled  my 
father,"  he  said  gravely,  after  a  slight  pause  ;  the 
allusion  to  the  relationship  seemed  to  have  sobered 
him. 

"And  she,  of  course,  remembered  him  only  as  a 
young  man.  He  has  changed  greatly  in  the  past  few 
years,  in  appearance  and — in  other  ways." 

Helen  added  the  last  words  in  a  lower  tone  as  Den- 
ning himself  re-entered  the  room,  but  Macavoy  heard 

238 


"EVERY  MAN  HAS  HIS  PRICE" 

the  unconscious  sigh  that  accompanied  them  and  drew 
his  own  inferences. 

The  Bulletin's  news  awakened  general  surprise  in 
Eockland  that  evening.  It  was  the  topic  in  homes  of 
widely  differing  conditions,  at  the  clubs,  in  shops, 
stores  and  offices,  and  called  forth  varying  comment. 

It  reached  the  editorial  " sanctum"  of  the  Eock- 
land Independent,  a  sheet  claiming,  as  its  name  indi- 
cated, independence  of  party  control,  but  which  was 
generally  understood  to  be  merely  awaiting  the  highest 
bid  before  finally  committing  itself.  The  syndicate 
in  charge  of  its  financial  affairs  had  selected  for 
editor,  one  Meyers,  former  secretary  of  Mayor  Denn- 
ing, as  the  man  best  fitted  not  only  to  pursue  a 
strictly  impartial  and  non-committal  course  until  it 
was  ascertained  to  a  certainty — in  the  parlance  of  the 
syndicate — "  which  way  the  cat  would  jump,"  but 
also  to  assist  in  hastening  the  movements  of  the 
aforesaid  metaphorical  feline. 

Meyers  skimmed  hastily  through  the  paragraph 
relating  to  the  political  outlook. 

"Vague;  nothing  definite  yet,"  was  his  mental 
comment. 

The  next  three  or  four  lines  aroused  his  interest, 
however,  and  he  read  what  followed  with  close 
attention. 

As  he  read,  a  certain  scene  which  he  had  carefully 
treasured  in  the  storehouse  of  his  memory — placed 
ready  to  hand  and  labelled  "for  future  use," — came 
forth  and  linked  itself  with  the  printed  story.  He 
saw  again  the  mayor's  waiting  room  as  distinct  as 
though  the  scene  had  occurred  only  yesterday.  He 
could  even  recall  each  piece  of  furniture  in  its 

239 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

respective  position  and  the  early  afternoon  sunbeam 
that  strayed  through  the  western  window  and  falling 
athwart  a  cut-glass  paper  weight,  had  thrown  a  circle 
of  prismatic  colors  on  his  desk,  the  outline  of  which 
he  had  idly  traced  while  listening  to  the  talk  between 
the  mayor  and  his  guests,  as  they  returned  from  lunch. 
He  heard  again  the  drawling  tones  of  Richards  as  he 
told  his  story,  recalling  even  his  idiosyncrasies  of 
speech.  He  saw  Denning' s  white  face  and  beaded  brow 
as  he  listened,  and  the  look  of  slowly  gathering  com- 
prehension in  the  face  of  his  friend,  Hollingshead. 
He  recalled  each  detail  of  the  narrative  and  made  a 
swift  calculation  and  comparison  of  dates, — how 
well  they  dovetailed  together,  the  story  told  then  and 
this  of  the  printed  page !  At  the  slight  points  of 
difference,  Meyers  smiled  significantly. 

"  Revised  for  publication,"  he  commented. 

He  clipped  the  paragraph  from  the  paper  and 
fastened  it  in  his  private  note-book,  jotting  down  a 
few  stenographic  characters  on  the  blank  page 
opposite.  As  he  snapped  the  elastic  band  about  the 
book  and  returned  it  to  his  pocket,  the  business 
manager  entered  from  an  adjoining  room. 

"  Denning  got  back  this  afternoon." 

"  So  I  see,"  Meyers  replied,  getting  up  and  closing 
his  desk. 

"  Sprung  sort  of  a  surprise  on  the  public,  didn't 
het" 

"On  some  people,  maybe.  It's  my  opinion, 
though,  that  the  most  surprised  one  of  the  lot  was 
Denning  himself." 

11  Think  the  story  sounds  sort  of  fishy,  eh?" 

"It's  all  right,  so  far  as  it  goes,"  Meyers  looked 
240 


"EVERY  MAN  HAS  HIS  PRICE" 

reflectively  into  his  hat,  "  but  some  details  seem  to  be 
omitted.  I  don't  think  the  young  man  came  out  here 
on  his  father's  invitation." 

"  Paper  states  he  has  made  him  a  fine  offer  to 
remain." 

Meyers  turned,  with  his  hand  on  the  door-knob,  a 
peculiar  smile  on  his  face  :  "  We'll  wait  and  see  how 
that  offer  materializes,"  and  he  swung  the  door  open. 

"Hold  on  a  minute,  Meyers.  Speaking  of  Den- 
ning, reminds  me  that  Hunter  wants  us  to  investigate 
that  bribery  charge  they're  getting  ready  to  spring  a 
week  or  two  before  election.  He  says  there's  plenty 
of  evidence  against  Denning  in  the  southern  counties 
and  that  we  could  unearth  it  better  than  they  could. 
Think  we  better  send  a  man  down  there  ?  " 

Meyers  regarded  the  other  rather  contemptuously  : 
"What's  the  use?  A  charge  of  that  kind  against  a 
man  like  Denning !  It  would  slip  off  of  him  like 
water  oif  a  duck's  back.  Look  at  the  charges  that 
have  been  brought  up  against  him  and  he  has  not 
even  taken  the  trouble  to  deny  them.  He  can  buy 
every  court  in  the  State — if  he  hasn't  done  it 
already.  There's  only  one  court  can  ever  convict 
him." 

"What's  that?" 

"Public  Opinion — with  a  big  P  and  O,"  Meyers 
smiled  significantly  and  shut  the  door  between  them. 

"Macavoy,"  said  Denning,  detaining  his  son  a 
moment,  as  the  latter  was  leaving  his  office  one  morn- 
ing about  a  week  after  his  arrival,  "  there  is  to  be  a 
meeting  of  the  directors  this  afternoon  at  which  I 
want  to  take  up  this  matter  regarding  the  cashier.  I 

16  241 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

have  already  talked  it  over  informally  with  a  majority 
of  them  and  they  agree  with  me  that  Layton  is  not  the 
right  man  for  the  place,  while  they  are  inclined  to 
regard  you  favorably.  I  want  to  present  the  matter 
officially  this  afternoon  and  have  a  vote  taken,  calling 
for  Layton' s  resignation  and  putting  you  in  his  place. 
I  am  sure  you  must,  by  this  time,  realize  the 
advantages  of  such  a  position  too  well  to  refuse  it." 

11  Father,  I  would  like  one  question  answered, 
before  I  make  my  decision,"  said  the  young  man,  after 
a  pause  :  ' '  "Would  you  have  made  me  this  offer — 
with  the  special  inducements  included — if  there  were 
no  secret  between  us,  nothing  in  the  past  to  be 
concealed!" 

"That  had  nothing  to  do  with  my  offer,"  Denning 
replied  promptly.  "  Why  do  you  ask  such  a 
question?" 

1  i  Because,  as  you  are  aware,  you  offered  me  an  un- 
usual salary, — a  salary,  I  have  since  learned,  greatly 
in  excess  of  what  Layton  himself  is  paid — and 
naturally  it  occurred  to  me  that  you  might  have  reasons 
for  placing  me  under  heavy  obligations  to  yourself." 

"And  in  that  case,  you  would  have  refused  the 
offer?" 

"  In  that  case,  I  would  have  refused  the  offer.  I  am 
not  a  man  to  be  bought,  even  by  my  own  father." 

A  cynical  smile  played  around  Denning' s  lips  : 
"Most  men  say  that — perhaps  some  honestly  think 
it — but  I  believe  every  man  has  his  price." 

"You  must  have  had  experience  in  buying," 
said  the  son  quietly. 

"Perhaps;"  Denning  replied  indifferently. 
"But,"  he  added,  "that  has  nothing  to  do  with  the 

242 


"EVERY  MAN  HAS  HIS  PRICE" 

case  in  hand.  I  offered  you  that  salary  for  two 
reasons ;  first,  because  you  with  your  business  experi- 
ence will  be  worth  that  much  to  me  as  my  repre- 
sentative in  the  bank ;  second,  the  excess  above 
Layton's  salary  I  shall  pay  from  my  personal  account, 
in  consideration  of  what  I  owe  you  as  my  son  ; 
in  other  words,  what  I  have  failed  to  do  in  the 
past." 

Macavoy  turned  slowly  toward  the  door  :  "I  will 
give  you  my  decision  this  noon,"  he  said,  and  left  the 
room. 

He  walked  slowly  up  the  street,  leading  out  to  the 
residential  portion  of  the  town,  in  deep  thought, 
weighing  the  pros  and  cons  of  the  question  to  be 
decided. 

On  one  hand,  a  splendid  position,  with,  the  pros- 
pect of  speedy  advancement ;  more  than  that,  of 
attainments  such  as  he  might  not  achieve  in  years 
elsewhere.  In  addition,  there  was  the  social  standing 
to  be  considered.  As  he  walked  the  street,  the 
pleasant  greetings  from  prominent  business  men,  the 
bows  and  smiles  from  matrons  and  maids  whirling 
past  in  stylish  turnouts,  reminded  him  that  already, 
stranger  that  he  was,  he  possessed  a  social  prestige  in 
this  populous  western  city  that  never  had  been  or 
could  be  his  in  the  staid,  conservative,  eastern  town 
from  which  he  had  come. 

On  the  other  hand,  there  rose  the  life-long  bitterness 
against  his  father  for  his  mother  sake ;  added  to  this, 
was  a  distrust  of  his  father's  methods.  Already  with 
his  keen  perceptions,  he  saw  much  even  on  the  surface 
of  which  he  heartily  disapproved,  and  he  suspected 
what  lay  below  and  beneath  the  surface.  He  doubted 

243 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

if,  after  all,  he  cared  to  be  identified  with  his  father  ; 
the  latter  was  playing  a  reckless  game,  staking  even 
his  own  reputation  and  that  of  his  family.  If  he 
lost,  Macavoy  did  not  wish  to  be  involved  in  the 
inevitable  crash  that  would  follow. 

And  in  addition  to  all  the  rest,  was  always  the 
thought  of  Helen.  While  there  was  a  certain  pleas- 
ure in  their  daily  association,  it  was  too  dearly  bought 
and  at  the  cost  of  too  much  pain  ;  and  what  made  the 
pain  the  more  poignant,  each  day  forced  upon  him  the 
conviction  that  she  herself,  as  she  had  said,  had  no 
regret ;  she  seemed  in  no  way  conscious  of  loss,  but 
content  with  their  present  relationship.  And  yet,  so 
inconsistent  was  he,  it  was  the  thought  of  Helen  which 
made  him  finally  hesitate  about  declining  his  father's 
ofier.  Was  it  generous,  because  he  felt  that  trouble 
was  impending — to  fall  sooner  or  later  as  the  result  of 
his  father's  methods — to  leave  her,  upon  whom  it 
would  fall  heaviest,  to  bear  it  alone  ? 

A  familiar  voice  broke  in  upon  his  cogitations. 
Looking  up,  he  saw  Helen  in  a  smart  trap,  reining 
her  horse  close  to  the  curbstone.  He  sprang  in  beside 
her,  and  the  fair  face  and  laughing  brown  eyes 
routed  his  half-formed  plan  to  decline  the  cashiership 
and  leave  Eockland  on  the  afternoon  train,  even  while 
emphasizing  the  wisdom  of  such  a  course. 

After  a  brisk  drive  they  reached  home.  Helen 
tossed  the  reins  to  the  footman  and  she  and  Macavoy 
entered  the  house  together.  He  went  directly  to  the 
library,  knowing  it  was  usually  deserted  at  that  hour. 
There  Helen  found  him  a  quarter  of  an  hour  later, 
standing  in  the  bay  window,  his  hands  clasped  behind 
him,  his  head  bent  slightly  forward,  his  face  grave, 

244 


"EVERY  MAN  HAS  HIS  PRICE  " 

troubled  even.    He  was  so  absorbed  in  thought  he  did 
not  hear  her  enter. 

11  Pardon  me,"  she  said,  with  mock  gravity,  "can 
you  tell  me  where  I  will  find  the  gentleman  who  was 
driving  with  me  quite  lately  ? ' ' 

He  turned,  with  a  smile  :  "I  don't  think  he  is  far 
away." 

She  looked  relieved:  "I  wish  you  could  have 
seen  yourself !  You  looked  as  if  you  were  contem- 
plating some  desperate  deed." 

"I  may  have  been  :  in  fact,  I  think  I  was."  He 
laughed  a  little  uneasily. 

She  glanced  keenly  at  him  for  an  instant ;  then 
waited  for  him  to  speak,  but  he  said  nothing. 

"You  have  accepted  father's  offer,  have  you  not!" 
she  asked  indifferently,  after  a  moment's  silence. 

11  No,  why  did  you  think  so  ?  " 

"  I  just  came  from  the  bank,  where  father  told  me 
he  expected  to  present  your  name  to  the  directors  this 
afternoon." 

There  was  another  brief  silence. 

"I  am  to  give  him  my  decision  after  lunch,"  he 
said  finally,  in  a  low  tone. 

The  small  clock  on  the  mantel  chimed  for  twelve 
forty-five. 

"You  haven't  much  time  left  in  which  to  decide," 
she  replied  lightly,  "  I  think  I  had  better  retire  while 
you  shape  your  future  destiny.  But  be  sure" — she 
gave  him  a  tantalizing  smile  as  she  turned  to  leave— 
"that  you  shape  it  aright." 

He  laid  a  detaining  hand  on  her  arm  :  "  Helen, — 
have  you  forgotten? — you  promised  to  help  me 
decide." 

245 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

UI  promised  to  let  you  know  my  choice,  if  you 
asked  it.  But  that  shouldn't  influence  your  decision. 
Think,"  she  added  teazingly,  "how  many  promising 
careers  have  been  blighted  by  unwise  feminine  coun- 
sels. Think  what  a  bright  future  Adam  had  till  it 
was  ruined  by  following  Eve's  suggestions  !  " 

He  regarded  this  daughter  of  Eve  thoughtfully, 
half-indignantly,  for  a  moment.  Her  cheeks  were  still 
glowing  from  their  drive  and  the  golden  hair  showed 
the  effect  of  the  wind's  caresses.  Looking  into  the 
laughing  eyes,  a  certain  sense  of  absurdity  suddenly 
struck  him.  How  could  she  advise  him?  What 
did  she  know  of  his  deeper  thoughts  and  feelings? 
It  was  only  too  evident  that  she  had  had  no  thought 
of  him  save  as  a  pleasant  companion  who  helped  while 
away  the  tedium  of  a  long  journey.  His  own  face 
darkened  and  as  it  did,  a  softer  light  grew  underneath 
the  laughter  in  the  brown  eyes ;  a  tender,  misty 
radiance  that  pierced  his  heart  with  swift,  poignant 
pain  even  while  it  drew  him  irresistibly  toward  her 
and  made  the  struggle  harder  than  before. 

"  I  cannot  decide  by  myself,"  he  said  in  a  low  tone. 

11  Is  it  so  difficult  as  that  ?  "  she  asked.  Something 
in  her  quiet  tone  stung  him. 

"It  would  be  easy  enough  if  there  were  nothing  but 
the  financial  side  of  the  question, — if  there  were  no 
personal  side,"  he  retorted,  almost  angrily;  "or 
even,"  he  added,  "if  the  personal  side  involved  no 
one  but  myself." 

"You  would  accept?"  she  queried,  pleating  the 
hem  of  a  dainty  handkerchief. 

"From  the  financial  standpoint?  Yes  ;  but — can't 
you  see,  Helen,"  he  suddenly  demanded;  "what 

246 


"EVERY  MAN  HAS  HIS  PRICE" 

makes  me  hesitate  ?  That  there  are  personal  reasons 
why  I  ought  not  to  stay  here,  even  though  I  am 
inclined  to  remain  against  my  better  judgment? 
You  must  know — you  must  understand." 

She  colored  under  his  searching  gaze  and  also  with 
the  consciousness  of  what  she  was  about  to  say. 

"If  the  circumstances  were  precisely  the  same  with 
the  exception  that  I" — she  hesitated  slightly,  laying 
the  pleats  in  her  handkerchief  with  greater  exactness 
— "  that  I  were " 

"  That  you  were  not  my  sister?"  he  finished  in 
desperation,  snatching  the  handkerchief  from  her 
hands  and  putting  it  in  his  pocket.  "Would  I 
stay  then?  I  would,  most  emphatically.  Nothing 
could  drive  me  away  from  Rockland  !  Oh,  Helen, 
don't  you  see  the  utter  unwisdom  of  my  staying? 
You  wouldn't  advise  me  to  remain  under  such 
circumstances,  would  you?" 

"I  think,"  she  said,  avoiding  his  eyes,  "you  had 
better  leave  me  altogether  out  of  the  question." 

"  What !  and  accept  the  position  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  Helen  !  do  you  advise  that  ?  " 

"I  am  not  going  to  answer  any  more  questions; 
I  must  get  ready  for  lunch — and  you  had  better  do 
the  same,"  she  added  significantly,  turning  to  go. 

"  But  Helen, — just  a  minute — you  promised  to  tell 
me  your  choice.  Is  it  your  choice  that  I  go,  or 
stay?" 

He  had  caught  her  hands  and  was  watching  her 
almost  breathlessly. 

"Stay,"  she  said,  ner  eyes  meeting  his  for  an 
instant. 

247 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

She  saw  on  his  face  a  look  of  uncomprehending 
wonder,  mixed  with  pain. 

"  Very  well,"  he  said  passively,  "that  settles  it ; " 
and  dropping  her  hands,  he  turned  again  to  the 
window  while  she  left  the  room. 

Something  in  her  eyes,  even  more  than  the  spoken 
word,  had  turned  him,  against  his  better  judgment. 
Perhaps,  he  reflected,  his  father  was  right  after  all, 
and  every  man  had  his  price, — but  not  always  in  gold. 

That  afternoon,  with  due  formality  and  deliberation, 
a  vote  was  taken  by  the  directors  of  the  North 
Western  National  Bank  of  Eockland,  calling  for  the 
resignation,  within  the  next  thirty  days,  of  Layton,  the 
cashier,  and  appointing  young  Denning  to  succeed 
him  5  the  latter  to  enter  upon  his  duties  immediately 
upon  the  resignation  of  his  predecessor. 

Denning,  upon  returning  home  that  evening,  noti- 
fied his  son  of  the  proceedings  and  the  latter  at  once 
telegraphed  his  resignation  to  the  eastern  bank  with 
which  he  had  been  for  years  connected.  Layton,  on 
receiving  notification  the  following  morning  of  the 
action  of  the  directors,  at  once  resigned  ;  with  the 
result  that  within  little  more  than  twenty-four  hours 
after  making  his  decision,  young  Denning  was  quietly 
installed  in  the  new  position  without  as  yet,  the  public 
being  the  wiser. 

That  evening,  at  one  of  the  clubs  which  his  father 
frequented,  he  met  Meyers  for  the  first  time.  The 
latter  had  been  for  some  days  seeking  an  interview 
with  the  new  comer,  but  moving  as  they  did  in 
entirely  different  circles,  it  had  not  been  easy  to 
accomplish.  On  this  particular  evening,  however, 
happening  to  have  business  with  one  of  the  club 

248 


"EVERY  MAN  HAS  HIS  PRICE  " 

members  and  seeing  young  Denning  present  in 
another  part  of  the  room,  he  asked  to  be  presented. 
As  his  name  was  announced,  the  younger  man  glanced 
at  Meyers '  weazened  face  and  stooped,  shrinking  form 
with  that  expression  of  half-tolerant  indifference 
often  tinged  with  mild  curiosity  with  which  a  large 
dog  regards  the  advances  of  a  small  one  ;  but  at  the 
supplementary  words,  "  editor  of  the  Independent," 
his  glance  grew  distinctly  cold. 

11 1  am  very  glad  to  meet  you,  Mr.  Denning.  Your 
father  and  I  were  quite  closely  associated  at  one  time. 
You  may  have  heard  him  speak  of  me." 

"I  do  not  seem  to  recall  the  name,"  the  other 
replied  civilly. 

"No?  Well,  I  suppose  Mr.  Denning' s  mind  just 
now  is  more  occupied  with  the  present  and  the 
immediate  future,  than  with  reminscences  of  the 
past." 

"Possibly." 

' '  Yes,  I  have  known  Mr.  Denning  quite  intimately 
ever  since  he  entered  upon  his  political  career ;  in 
fact,  I  rendered  him  very  material  assistance  in  his 
first  campaign." 

"Indeed!" 

"Your  father  has  had  a  remarkable  career,  Mr. 
Denning,  he  is  a  remarkable  man  and  has  a  brilliant 
future." 

"  He  has  been  very  successful." 

"You  seem  to  have  inherited  his  exceptional 
business  ability." 

"  I  doubtless  have  inherited  his  business  tastes;  our 
work  is  along  the  same  line." 

"But  it  is  rather  unusual  for  so  young  a  man  to 
248 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

hold  a  position  of  such  responsibility.     Let  me  see, 
you  are  cashier,  I  understand?" 

"Yes." 

"Of  what  bank,  may  I  inquire ?  " 

The  eyes,  so  like  his  father's,  looked  straight  into 
Meyers'  blinking,  shifty  orbs,  with  a  glance  that  forci- 
bly reminded  the  latter  of  the  days  of  his  secretaryship. 

"Of  the  North  Western,  Mr.  Meyers." 

"What! — Beg  pardon — the  North  Western,  did 
you  say  ?  Not  of  Rockland  ! " 

"OfRockland." 

"  Why,  what  was  the  matter  with  Layton  I " 

"  I  know  nothing  regarding  Mr.  Layton  except  that 
he  resigned." 

"  Resigned  !     It  must  have  been  very  recent." 

"Quite  recent,  I  believe." 

"Well,  I  am  surprised.  Was  there  any  dis- 
satisfaction!" 

"I  can  give  you  no  information  as  to  that,  Mr. 
Meyers."  The  young  man's  tone  indicated  that  he 
was  bored. 

"A  little  political  wire-pulling,  perhaps,"  Meyers 
added  insinuatingly. 

"None  whatever,  so  far  as  I  know,"  the  other 
replied,  rising:  "You  will  kindly  excuse  me,  Mr. 
Meyers  ;  I  see  a  friend  waiting  for  me." 

" Certainly."  Meyers  also  rose,  smiling.  "I  con- 
gratulate you,  Mr.  Denning.  I  am  very  glad  you 
are  to  remain  in  Rockland.  Good  evening." 

With  his  peculiar  smile,  Meyers  watched  him  cross 
the  room:  "So  that  is  his  price,"  he  muttered, 
"the  price  Denning  has  had  to  pay  for  his  silence. 
In  my  opinion  it  will  cost  the  old  man  dear." 

250 


XXII 

SETTING  THE  BALL  IN  MOTION 

ALTHOUGH  Meyers  had  failed  to  elicit  from  yonng 
Denning  the  information  he  sought,  he  yet  had  plenty 
of  food  for  reflection  as  he  wended  his  way  from  the 
club  to  the  editorial  rooms  of  the  Independent.  What 
he  had  particularly  wished  to  ascertain  was  the  exact 
locus  of  the  young. man's  career  before  his  entry  upon 
the  Rockland  stage.  So  far,  report  only  stated  that  he 
was  from  "the  East."  Meyers  hoped  to  narrow  this 
down  to  something  more  definite. 

But  his  thoughts  had  now  been  partially  diverted  to 
another  channel.  Seated  alone  in  his  den,  he  rumi- 
nated until  a  late  hour,  and  when  he  finally  rose  and 
closed  his  desk,  his  small,  ferret-like  eyes  gleamed 
with  something  like  satisfaction.  Even  then  he  stood 
for  a  few  moments,  with  hands  thrust  deep  in  his 
pockets,  absently  jingling  a  few  loose  coins,  lost  in 
thought. 

Then  muttering  :  "I'll  see  Layton  first  and  feel  his 
pulse,  I'll  see  him  to-morrow,"  he  turned  off  the  light 
and  left  the  room. 

Eockland' s  Newspaper  Bow  vibrated  the  following 
morning  with  the  news  of  Layton' s  resignation  and 
young  Denning' s  appointment  in  his  place.  The  agi- 
tation was  only  a  mere  ripple  on  the  surface  of  the 
republican  papers,  which  gave  the  news  with  little  or 

251 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

no  comment ;  but  rolled  on  with  accumulating  force 
until  it  broke,  like  a  small  tidal  wave,  over  the  col- 
umns of  the  Chronicle,  the  oldest  democratic  paper. 
Comment  was  not  wanting  here.  The  North  Western 
— it  said — which  was  well  known  to  be  the  chief  depos- 
itory of  the  campaign  funds  of  the  republican  county 
committee,  as  well  as  of  a  large  share  of  the  funds  of 
the  State  committee,  was  to  be  congratulated  on  the 
personnel  of  its  officials  ;  the  inconvenience  of  a  cash- 
ier whose  affiliations  were  with  the  opposite  party 
was,  under  these  circumstances,  only  too  obvious  ! 

The  Independent,  from  its  vantage  ground  of  strict 
neutrality,  was  not  engulfed  in  any  wave  of  partisan 
feeling.  It  alluded  dispassionately  to  Mr.  Layton's 
many  years  of  efficient  service  in  the  position  he  had 
held  ;  and  with  equal  calmness  congratulated  the  North 
Western  on  its  good  fortune  in  securing  a  man  of  so 
marked  ability  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  his 
resignation. 

"  I  see  you  fellows  are  on  the  fence,  as  usual,"  said 
one  of  Rockland's  leading  politicians,  as  he  entered 
Meyers'  den  and  dropped  into  a  chair  conveniently 
near. 

Meyers  blinked  and  regarded  his  caller  tentatively  : 
"It's  a  good  point  from  which  to  watch  both  sides," 
he  ventured. 

"A  mighty  ticklish  position,  I  should  say,  but 
you're  so  used  to  it  you  could  do  the  tight-rope  act 
by  this  time.  Now,  Meyers,  candidly,  between 
you  and  me,  what  do  you  think  of  this  fool  act  of 
Denning's?" 

"Denning's!"  Meyers  repeated,  feigning  surprise  j 
"Layton  resigned,  I  understand." 

252 


SETTING  THE  BALL  IN  MOTION 

"He  resigned  at  the  request  of  the  directors,"  the 
other  retorted  with  scorn.  "  That's  straight  from 
Layton  himself,  and  Meyers,  you  and  I  know  who  has 
that  board  of  directors  under  his  thumb.  They'd  hand 
in  their  own  resignations,  like  so  many  little  men,  if 
Denning  told  'em  to." 

Meyers  reflectively  jabbed  his  pen  two  or  three  times 
into  a  sponge  beside  the  ink-well,  before  replying  cau- 
tiously: "If  Denning  brought  about  Layton' s  resigna- 
tion, it  was  rather  indiscreet,  just  at  this  time.  Bad 
policy,  very  bad  ;  Layton' s  popular." 

"  Not  only  that,  it's  a  dead  give  away.  Every  one 
can  see  why  it  was  done,  with  the  campaign  funds 
deposited  in  that  bank." 

Meyers  examined  his  pen  thoughtfully,  but  said 
nothing. 

"Denning  will  find  his  mistake,  too,"  the  other 
continued.  "He  wasn't  going  to  have  any  'snap' 
anyway,  with  a  man  like  Knox  up  against  him,  and 
now  he'll  find  it  will  be  the  fight  of  his  life.  If  he  wins 
out,  it  will  be  by  a  damned  small  majority — and  he 
deserves  to  lose." 

Meyers  put  his  pen  in  the  rack,  folded  his  hands  and 
looked  shrewdly  at  the  man  beside  him,  as  though 
scenting  his  game. 

"In  other  words,  it  wouldn't  hurt  your  feelings  if 
he  did  lose,"  he  supplemented.  "  Speak  out,  Hughes  ; 
don't  beat  about  the  bush.  We  all  know  you're  both 
after  the  same  berth  in  Washington." 

"That's  about  it,  only  he's  going  round  Eobin 
Hood's  barn  by  way  of  the  gubernatorial  mansion, 
while  I  prefer  the  short  cut,"  Hughes  answered, 
laughing  uneasily. 

253 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

He  glanced  about  the  room,  drew  his  chair  nearer  to 
Meyers  and  continued  : 

"It's  this  way  'twixt  Denning  and  me.  He's  got 
his  friends  and  I've  got  mine.  I  and  my  friends  were 
willing — like  good  Republicans — to  help  boost  him 
into  the  governor's  chair,  but  no  further.  After  that, 
'twas  to  be  a  fight  between  us — fair  and  square — to  the 
finish.  But  he  ain't  willing  to  wait  and  fight  fair. 
Right  now,  in  this  campaign,  he's  pulling  his  wires 
for  the  senate ;  not  content  with  present  issues,  he's 
monkeying  with  the  State  legislature,  buying  votes  in 
every  county,  trying  to  keep  my  men  out  and  crowd 
his  men  in.  That's  where  the  funds  in  the  North 
Western  are  going.  I'm  on  to  his  deals " 

"So  Lay  ton  is  'squealing'  is  he?"  Meyers 
interposed,  darting  a  sharp  glance  into  Hughes'  face. 

The  latter  nodded.  "I  guess  Denning  will  find  he's 
locked  the  stable  after  the  horse  was  stolen,"  he 
chuckled;  then  resumed:  "Well,  as  I  was  saying, 
the  fight  is  on  between  him  and  me,  right  here  and 
now,  and  there'll  be  no  let  up  till  I've  knocked  him 
out" 

"I'll  give  you  a  tip,  then,  Hughes,  that  you'd  better 
get  your  work  in  before  next  November,  for  if  Den- 
ning wins  out  in  this  fight,  you  might  about  as  well 
keep  out  of  the  ring  in  the  next  one." 

"In  the  senatorial  contest?"  Hughes  asked  anx- 
iously. "  You  think  I  won't  stand  any  show? " 

"Not  against  Governor  Denning,"  Meyers  replied 
with  emphasis  :  "That's  pretty  well  fixed  ;  that's  why 
he  got  you  to  agree  to  stand  off  in  this  bout,  and  that's 
why  he  is  fighting  so  desperately  to  get  in." 

"Well,"  said  Hughes,  with  an  oath,  "he  won't  get 
254 


SETTING  THE  BALL  IN  MOTION 

there  if  I  can  beat  Min  by  fair  means  or  foul,  I  don't 
care  which.  And  that's  what  I'm  here  for.  I'm  open 
to  suggestions." 

Meyers  picked  up  a  paper  knife  and  twirled  it  slowly, 
Hughes  watching  him  expectantly.  The  silence  grew 
oppressive  to  the  latter. 

"  Candidly  now,  Meyers-,  what  do  you  think 
of  his  chances  compared  with  Knox's?  As  you 
said  when  I  came  in,  you're  in  a  position  to  see  both 
sides." 

11  Denning' s  a  hard  man  to  count  on,"  Meyers  re- 
plied non-committally,  balancing  the  paper  knife  in 
his  fingers,  "you  never  know  just  where  he's  at.  He 
generally  has  something  up  his  sleeve." 

"I've  noticed,"  Hughes  remarked  significantly, 
"that  you  can  usually  produce  a  l trump'  when  it's 
needed." 

Meyers  blinked,  as  he  finally  succeeded  in  balanc- 
ing the  knife  in  a  vertical  position  on  his  finger  tips, 
which  operation  Hughes  watched  with  a  sort  of  fasci- 
nation, unconscious  that  the  ferret  eyes  were  fixed  on 
his  face. 

"What  would  it  be  worth  to  you?"  Meyers  asked 
quietly,  as  the  knife  toppled  over  on  the  desk. 

"Wh — what1?"  Hughes  stammered,  rousing  from 
the  semi-hypnotic  spell  and  confronting  the  eyes. 

"The  ' trump,'  what  would  it  be  worth  to  you ? " 

"A  whole  lot,"  Hughes  answered  emphatically, 
but  ambiguously,  adding  after  a  slight  pause,  "I  ain't 
talking  in  dollars  and  cents.  I  ain't  in  that  line  of 
business,  you  understand." 

"Neither  am  I,  for  that  matter." 

"Is  there  anything  in  particular  you'd  like!" 
255 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Hughes  inquired  desperately,  after  another  eloquent 
silence. 

11  i  I'  m  open  to  suggestion, '  as  you  said  a  while  ago. ' ' 

"  Meyers,"  said  Hughes  plaintively,  "  you  can  have 
anything  you  want." 

"Yes  ; "  Meyers  answered  reflectively  ;  "  a  six-year 
berth  in  "Washington,  with  all  its  perquisites,  is  worth 
some  concessions." 

It  was  evident  to  Hughes  that  he  must  take  the 
initiative,  but  Meyers'  words  had  given  him  a  cue. 

"  How  would  you  like  a  six-year  berth  in  "Washing- 
ton yourself?"  he  asked. 

"  That  depends  on  the  kind  of  berth  referred  to." 

"  Well, — damn  it ! — as  private  secretary  to  a  U.  S. 
S., — how  does  that  strike  you? " 

"  All  right,  provided  it's  a  sure  thing." 

1 1  I'll  make  it  a  l  sure  thing '  provided  you  help  me 
land  a  solar  plexus  blow  on  that  fellow  next  election 
day." 

At  this  important  juncture  the  annunciator  beside 
the  desk  claimed  Meyers'  attention.  While  he  was 
still  engaged,  the  door  of  the  adjoining  room  opened 
and  the  business  manager  entered,  so  Hughes  found 
his  conference  practically  at  an  end.  As  he  left  the 
room,  however,  he  gave  Meyers  a  wink  and  the  latter 
followed  him  to  the  door. 

' '  You  clear  the  track  and  grease  the  wheels  to  Wash- 
ington, and  you  ride  in  the  same  coach  ;  understand  ?  " 

11  Agreed,"  said  Meyers,  thrusting  his  hands  in  his 
pockets. 

"  I  suppose  you  know  how  you're  going  to  play  this 
hand?"  Hughes  remarked  tentatively. 

"  Pretty  near !" 

256 


SETTING  THE  BALL  IN  MOTION 

"Do  we  play  partners,  or  do  you  'go  it  alone?" 

"I  think,"  Meyers  said,  after  a  pause,  "  that  neither 
of  us  had  better  appear  in  it.  It  will  be  better  for  you 
with  your  political  prospects — better  for  us  both — if 
the  l  solar  plexus  blow,'  as  you  call  it,  is  dealt  by  some 
one  within  the  other  party  ;  perhaps  some  one  with  a 
personal  grudge  against  Denning." 

11  By  George  !  that's  a  good  scheme.  Layton's  your 
man,  eh?" 

"  Possibly." 

"Well,  damned  if  I  care  who  deals  the  blow,  so 
long  as  it  knocks  him  out ! "  and  he  turned  on  his 
heel,  laughing. 

Meyers  stood  for  a  moment,  looking  after  him,  his 
small  eyes  twinkling  with  self-congratulation. 

"So  much  to  the  good  that  I  hadn't  counted  on," 
he  muttered,  as  he  turned  again  toward  his  desk. 

"What's  Hughes  after?"  inquired  Todd,  the 
manager. 

"  After  Denning' s  scalp,"  Meyers  answered,  with  a 

grin. 

Todd  laughed.     "On  the  war-path,  is  he ?  " 

' l  Yes ;  he' s  found  out  through  Layton  that  Denning' s 
getting  in  his  work  over  the  State  for  the  senatorial 
contest  next  year,  and  he's  going  to  get  back  at  him." 

"  Denning' s  getting  reckless ;  he's  taking  desperate 
chances  of  late." 

"  l  Whom  the  gods  would  destroy,  they  first  make 
mad,'  "  Meyers  quoted  sententiously. 

"Speaking  of   Layton,"    Todd   resumed,   after  a 

pause ;  "I  heard  on  the  street  an  hour  ago  that  the 

democratic  State  committee  has  got  control  of  the 

Bulletin,  and  Layton's  been  given  the  management." 

17  257 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"Whew  !  You  don't  say  !  Layton's  going  to  beard 
the  lion  in  his  den,  isn't  he?  " 

' '  Looks  that  way.  I  happened  to  run  across  Denning 
half  an  hour  later  and  hinted  to  him  that  the  Indepen- 
dent was  in  the  market.  He  didn't  seem  to  catch  on, 
however,  and  the  next  man  I  ran  into  was  Bradenburg, 
who  told  me  on  the  q.  t.  that  Denning  has  bought  up 
the  Standard — owns  the  whole  outfit — and  is  going  to 
run  it  to  suit  himself." 

Meyers  looked  at  Todd  with  narrowing  eyes  :  "I 
thought  I  was  to  have  the  say  regarding  the  political 
stand  of  the  Independent.7' 

u  That's  all  right,  Meyers  ;  I  only  did  it  on  the  spur 
of  the  moment.  Just  thought  I'd  throw  out  the  bait, 
and  in  case  he  did  nibble,  we'd  make  a  big  haul." 

"  And  be  bossed  by  Denning,"  Meyers  added  con- 
temptuously. "You  leave  me  to  manipulate  this, 
Todd ;  we'll  not  only  be  our  own  bosses,  but  before 
next  November,  we'll  boss  the  Bulletin  and  Layton  and 
tlie  committee  itself." 

"You  don't  mean  it !  So  that's  the  way  the  cat's 
going  to  hop,  is  it?  " 

"  Yes,  but  hold  your  tongue  and  stick  to  the  *  fence ' 
for  the  present." 

Meyers  made  a  number  of  congratulatory  calls  that 
day.  Meeting  Denning  on  the  street,  he  congratulated 
him  upon  his  acquisition  of  the  Standard,  and  a  little 
later,  in  the  office  of  that  popular  Republican  paper, 
congratulated  the  editor  and  manager  upon  the  new 
proprietorship,  which  he  said  was  bound  to  make  the 
paper  more  popular  than  ever.  When  he  left  the 
office,  he  assured  the  Standard  of  the  entirely  fraternal 
spirit  of  the  Independent.  He  next  extended  his 

258 


SETTING  THE  BALL  IN  MOTION 

congratulations  to  Layton,  whom  lie  found  installing 
himself  in  the  offices  of  the  Bulletin.  Meyers  drew  from 
him  an  outline  of  the  future  policy  of  the  Bulletin  and 
its  methods  of  procedure  which  he  had  mapped  out  for 
the  coming  campaign,  and  without  directly  committing 
himself,  succeeded  in  conveying  the  impression  that  the 
new  management  could  rely  upon  the  Independent  as 
a  sort  of  "  silent  partner,"  to  whom  it  might  turn  for 
timely  suggestion  and  assistance  in  any  emergency. 

Later,  in  the  evening,  he  invited  one  of  the  members 
of  the  North  "Western's  board  of  directors  to  share 
with  him  some  "liquid  refreshment,"  who,  under  its 
mellowing  influence,  gave — quite  incidentally,  in  re- 
sponse to  Myers'  congratulations  upon  the  new  cashier 
— what  few  facts  he  knew  regarding  the  new  comer, 
which  included  the  name  of  the  bank  and  the  town 
from  which  he  had  come. 

Meyers'  closing  act  that  night  was  to  write  and  mail 
a  brief  letter  to  a  private  detective  in  the  East,  with 
whom  he  had  once  been  associated  in  the  earlier  days 
of  his  somewhat  checkered  career.  Having  done 
this,  he  retired  to  rest  with  the  satisfaction  of  having 
at  last  "  set  the  ball  moving," 


259 


XXIII 

A  SIDE  ISSUE 


WEEKS  passed  and  October  came  with  no  material 
change  in  the  political  situation.  The  battle  waged 
with  increasing  fury,  but,  as  yet,  there  was  no  certain 
indication  which  side  would  eventually  win.  Mean- 
while the  flames  of  partisan  feeling  mounted  higher 
and  higher ;  their  innumerable  scorching  tongues 
blackening  and  blasting  men's  reputations  without 
partiality  and  without  mercy.  Friends  became  foes 
and  foes  changed  to  friends  in  the  swift  transmutations 
of  political  affiliations  ;  and  as  the  situation  grew  more 
strained,  the  terrible  tension  under  which  the  partici- 
pants were  living  became  more  and  more  apparent. 

In  Denning' s  case  this  was  particularly  true.  The 
contest  between  himself  and  Knox — the  principal 
figures  in  this  arena — was  closer  than  between  any 
other  two  candidates.  In  addition,  a  spirit  of  personal 
animosity  had  been  engendered  between  them  which 
each  day  only  intensified.  But  more  than  all,  Den- 
ning was  oppressed  with  the  fear  of  his  own  secret — 
always  hanging  over  him  like  the  sword  of  Damocles 
— and  with  a  horrible  foreboding,  born  of  an  over- 
taxed brain  and  over-wrought  nerves,  that  had  of  late 
taken  possession  of  him ;  a  sort  of  prescience  of  im- 
pending evil,  haunting  him  day  and  night,  harassing 
even  his  brief  hours  of  sleep.  It  began  to  be  evident 

260 


A  SIDE  ISSUE 

to  all  that  Denning  was  fighting  with  desperation, 
but  only  he  himself  knew  that  it  was  much  of  the 
time  the  desperate  frenzy  of  a  man  who  feels  himself 
doomed. 

It  was  small  wonder,  therefore,  that  the  strain  told 
fearfully  upon  him,  as  was  evinced  by  his  rapidly 
whitening  hair,  the  deepening  lines  in  his  face,  and 
the  leaden  dullness  that  at  times  clouded  his  once  keen, 
clear  eyes.  In  his  family,  the  effects  were  even  more 
noticeable.  He  was  distrait,  taciturn,  irritable. 

Early  in  October,  Mrs.  Denning  announced  her  in- 
tention of  taking  a  trip  "up  the  sound,"  to  visit 
friends  in  Victoria. 

"I  shall  remain  away  until  after  election,"  she  re- 
marked to  Helen,  who  was  assisting  in  the  preparations 
for  departure  ;  "  I  hope  by  that  time  your  father  will 
have  regained  his  mental  equilibrium  so  that  he  can 
resume  his  place  in  the  family  and  in  society.  At 
present,  he  is  nothing  but  a  political  monomaniac." 

"Poor  father!  he  is  terribly  worried,"  Helen  an- 
swered with  a  sigh,  ' '  I  hope  he  will  win  ;  it  would  be 
a  crushing  blow  to  him  if  he  were  to  be  defeated." 

1 '  In  case  he  is  not  successful,  you  need  not  look  for 
my  return  until  after  the  holidays,"  her  mother  re- 
plied, with  cool  deliberation  ;  "though,  of  course,  it 
is  unnecessary  to  mention  it  to  any  one  at  present." 

Too  much  surprised  to  speak,  Helen  only  looked  at 
her  mother  in  reproachful  protest.  Ignoring  it,  the 
latter  continued : 

"That  is  an  additional  reason  for  my  going  away. 
Your  father  doesn't  appear  like  a  man  over-confident 
of  success." 

"  And  you  would  stay  away  from  him  just  when  he 

261 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

would  be  most  in  need  of  sympathy ! "  Helen  cried 
indignantly. 

"  Don't  be  foolish,  child.  If  yonr  father  were 
defeated  I  fancy  I  would  be  the  last  person  he  would 
care  to  see." 

A  conviction  of  the  truth  of  her  mother's  words 
suddenly  flashed  upon  Helen  and  she  was  silent. 

"I  would  prefer  that  you  should  accompany  me — 
in  fact,  I  would  insist  upon  it — except  for  one  consid- 
eration," Mrs.  Denning  continued  significantly,  while 
Helen  colored  slightly  ;  "It  would  hardly  be  fair  to 
Mr.  Russell  after  what  he  has  said  to  me" — she 
watched  the  effect  of  her  words — "  to  carry  you  away 
before  his  face  and  eyes.  But  I  hope  you  will  treat  him 
with  a  little  more  consideration.  He  confessed  to  me 
that  he  had  been  greatly  perplexed  and  troubled  by 
your  appearance  of  late,  but  I  told  him  that  politics 
had  turned  your  brain  as  well  as  your  father's." 

"  If  I  ever  marry,"  Helen  retorted,  "  it  will  be  some 
one  with  nerve  enough  to  pay  his  attentions  to  me, 
first  hand,  and  not  through  my  mother ;  but  as  for 
going  away  with  you,  I  would' t  think  of  it,  Mr.  Russell 
or  no  Mr.  Russell.  I  shall  stay  by  papa." 

"Oh,  that  is  to  be  expected,  of  course  ; "  Mrs.  Den- 
ning returned  mockingly.  "  Well,  there  is  a  houseful 
of  servants  and  Hobbs  is  far  more  than  an  ordinary 
housekeeper ;  she  has  known  you  from  a  child  and 
looks  after  you  almost  as  well  as  I  do." 

"I  dare  say  she  does,"  Helen  replied  coolly,  "but 
I'm  no  child  to  be  'looked  after.'  Besides,  I  heard 
papa  say  that  Uncle  Dick  and  his  wife  were  coming 
over,  and  I'll  get  him  to  ask  them  to  stay.  I'm  sure 
they  will." 

262 


A  SIDE  ISSUE 

"  Very  well,  if  you  fancy  such  an  ordinary  person 
as  Mrs.  Hollingshead.  You  always  did  have  rather 
plebeian  tastes  ;  I'm  sure  I  don't  know  where  they'll 
lead  you  yet.  That  reminds  me,  Helen  ;  does  young 
Denning  have  any  idea  that  you  are  not  related  to  his 
side  of  the  house  ?  " 

"No,"  Helen  replied,  bending  over  the  trunk  and 
stowing  away  a  walking  skirt  with  unnecessary  vigor 
as  an  excuse  for  the  blood  which  she  felt  flaming  in 
her  cheeks.  "  No,  he  is  under  the  happy  illusion  that 
I  am  his  really,  truly  sister,  and  papa  thought  best  not 
to  shock  him  by  undeceiving  him." 

11  The  most  sensible  decision  I  ever  knew  your  father 
to  make,"  Mrs.  Denning  remarked,  with  a  sigh  of 
relief,  serenely  unconscious  of  the  satire  in  Helen's 
tones,  while  the  latter  gave  the  walking  skirt  an  extra 
savage  thrust. 

To  Denning,  his  wife's  departure  was  a  relief.  He 
was  no  longer  compelled  to  meet  her  cold,  half-averted 
glance,  which,  to  his  conscious  guilt,  seemed  like  an 
accusation.  It  was  a  removal  of  restraint  also.  He 
was  no  longer  under  the  necessity  of  so  carefully 
guarding  his  appearance.  He  absented  himself  more 
and  more,  returning  home  at  a  later  hour  each  night, 
breakfasting  by  himself — or  sometimes  not  at  all — and 
then  going  out  to  begin  the  feverish  round  of  another 
day.  Helen  saw  him  now  but  seldom,  and  on  the  rare 
occasions  when  she  met  him  for  a  few  moments,  some- 
thing in  his  appearance  awakened  within  her  a  new 
fear,  which  she  hardly  dared  formulate  in  words,  even 
to  herself. 

Almost  on  the  verge  of  collapse  under  the  frightful 
double  tension,  haunted  by  that  wretched,  indefinable 

263 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

foreboding  of  failure  which  pursued  him  day  and 
night,  Denning  was  resorting  to  stimulants  to  tempo- 
rarily clear  his  brain  and  steady  his  nerves,  thereby 
aggravating  the  conditions  he  sought  to  relieve. 

His  son,  who  saw  him  more  frequently,  understood 
the  situation,  but  was  powerless  to  check  the  evil  which 
he  foresaw.  All  he  could  do  was  to  fulfil  his  duty  in 
his  position  as  cashier  of  the  North  Western  ;  and  this 
he  found  no  sinecure,  involving,  as  it  did,  the  care  of 
his  father's  personal  account  at  this  time,  with  his 
reckless,  and  sometimes  wholly  irresponsible,  expen- 
ditures. To  him,  his  father's  ruin  seemed  little  short 
of  inevitable,  but  he  resolved  to  stand  by  him  till  the 
crisis  came,  whatever  it  might  be. 

His  greatest  anxiety  was  for  Helen.  "With  a  heavy 
heart  he  noted  the  look  of  wistful  sadness  that  began 
to  lurk  in  the  brown  eyes.  She  had  grown  strangely 
quiet  of  late  and  a  sort  of  barrier  seemed  to  have 
formed  between  them.  He  realized,  with  a  sudden 
pang,  that  she  considered  him  too  remote  to  take  him 
into  her  confidence  in  the  agony  of  suspense,  the 
torture  of  apprehension,  which  she  was  silently  en- 
during ;  while  her  very  nearness  to  him,  rendered  him 
speechless.  He  longed  to  comfort  her,  to  share  her 
burden,  but  dared  not  trust  himself  to  speak,  knowing 
that  the  depths  of  his  own  feeling,  like  a  resistless 
current,  would  carry  him  far  beyond  the  limits  which 
he  had  prescribed  for  himself. 

One  evening,  however,  soon  after  Mrs.  Denning' s 
departure,  his  self-enforced  silence  gave  way.  He  was 
crossing  the  hall  on  the  way  to  his  father's  sitting 
room  when  he  met  Helen,  and  her  unusual  pallor 
together  with  traces  of  recent  tears,  told  him  that  she 

264 


A  SIDE  ISSUE 

had  come  face  to  face  with  a  phase  of  the  situation 
new  and  terrifying  to  her,  but  one  with  which  he  felt 
he  was  becoming  sadly  familiar. 

" Helen!"  he  exclaimed,  stopping  suddenly  and 
looking  searchingly  in  her  face  :  ' '  Something  is  troub- 
ling you  to-night."  He  added  gently,  "  Can't  you 
trust  me  enough  to  tell  me  what  it  is  1 " 

"Oh,  Tom,"  she  answered  piteously,  "it's  so  ter- 
rible I  don't  know  how  to  speak  of  it.  I  can't  bear 
even  to  acknowledge  it  to  myself." 

II  Is  it  concerning  father  ?  " 
"Yes." 

II 1  think  I  know  already,"  he  replied,  drawing  her 
into  the  sitting  room,  where  a  fire  was  burning  in  the 
grate,  for  the  evening  was  chilly. 

He  seated  her  in  a  low  chair  before  the  fire,  but 
remained  standing  himself  near  her,  his  elbow  on  the 
mantel,  his  head  on  his  hand,  his  eyes  fixed  on  her 
face  over  which  the  firelight  played  fitfully. 

"I  think  I  know,"  he  repeated  gently;  "I  only 
hoped  that  you  did  not, — and  might  not — though,"  he 
added  slowly,  "I  could  not  see  what  was  to  prevent 
your  knowing." 

"I  have  felt  for  days  that  something  was  wrong," 
she  replied  wearily  ;  u  father  has  appeared  so  strange 
of  late,  so  unlike  himself.  I  couldn't  account  for  it, 
except  on  one  supposition,  and  that  was  so  awful  I 
couldn't  think  of  it ;  I  wouldn't  admit  it  as  a  possi- 
bility, even  to  myself,  until — to-day — I  had  to." 

"Poor  child!"  he  exclaimed  in  answer  to  the 
unconscious  pathos  of  those  last  three  words. 

"This  morning,  after  you  had  gone  and  I  had  come 
upstairs  to  my  room,  I  did  not  hear  papa  in  his  room, 

265 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

as  usual,  getting  ready  for  breakfast.  It  was  so  still 
I  was  frightened,  I  was  afraid  he  was  ill,  so  I  went  to 
the  door  and  knocked  and  called  him.  There  was  no 
answer,  so  I  opened  the  door  and  saw,  at  a  glance,  he 
had  not  been  there  at  all ;  everything  was  just  as  the 
maid  had  left  it  yesterday.  Then  I  was  terribly 
frightened — for  I  heard  him  come  upstairs  between 
three  and  four  o'clock  this  morning — and  I  came 
directly  to  this  room,  and — I  found  him." 

At  the  little  break  in  her  voice,  he  turned  his  head 
and  covered  his  eyes  with  his  hand. 

"Oh,  Tom,  I  thought  my  heart  would  break! 
Poor,  dear  daddy  !  At  first  I  didn't  think  it  could  be 
he "  a  sob  choked  her. 

11  Don't,  Helen  !  Don't  try  to  tell  me,  I  know  ; "  he 
replied,  his  own  voice  unsteady  from  sympathy. 

She  sat  leaning  forward,  her  elbows  on  her  knees, 
her  head  resting  on  one  hand,  gazing  into  the  fire  as 
she  spoke.  Now,  she  covered  her  face  with  her  hands, 
but  through  her  fingers,  Tom  caught  the  gleam  of  tears 
in  the  glancing  rays  of  the  firelight. 

He  came  nearer  and  caressed  the  golden  head, 
battling  all  the  while  with  the  fierce,  almost  uncon- 
trollable desire  to  take  her  in  his  arms. 

She  raised  her  head,  clasping  her  hands  and  gazing 
again  into  the  fire. 

"I  fixed  the  pillows  under  his  poor  head,  so  he 
would  look  more  comfortable  and  picked  up  things 
and  turned  off  the  lights — they  were  all  burning 
brightly — and  then  I  sat  down  beside  him  and  waited 
for  him  to  wake  up." 

"You  shouldn't  have  done  that,  Helen  j  it  could  do 
him  no  good,  you  know,  and — it  was  bad  for  you." 

266 


A  SIDE  ISSUE 

"Well,  I  did.  He  didn't  waken  till  nearly  noon, 
but  when  he  did — I  don't  know  which  of  us  felt  the 
worse  ! "  she  smiled  forlornly  at  the  recollection. 

"But  Tom,"  she  looked  up  eagerly  into  his  face, 
for  he  had  gone  back  and  was  again  leaning  on  the 
mantel,  "he  says  it's  only  the  result  of  this  terrible 
strain  ;  that  he  will  be  all  right  after  election.  Don't 
you  think  he  will — I  mean,  of  course,  if  he  wins!" 

"I  hope  so,"  he  answered  slowly. 

She  regarded  him  thoughtfully  for  a  moment,  then 
rose  and  came  nearer. 

"What  is  it,  Tom1?  Do  you  doubt  his  winning,  or 
do  you  think  it  would  make  no  difference  I " 

He  did  not  reply  at  once  ;  when  he  did,  it  was  with 
peculiar  deliberation.  "Sometimes  I  think,  Helen,  it 
would  be  better  for  him — for  all  of  us — if  he  were 
defeated." 

He  saw  in  her  eyes  the  question  she  could  not  bring 
herself  to  ask,  and  continued  gently  : 

"It's  a  hard  thing  to  say,  Helen,  of  your  father — 
and  mine ;  but  I  think  that  under  this  strain  he  is 
becoming  both  mentally  and  morally  unfit  for  the  place 
he  would  have  to  fill,  if  elected." 

"  I  have  thought  of  that,  too,"  she  admitted  falter  - 
ingly,  "but  think  what  it  would  mean  to  him  if  he 
failed!" 

"It  would  be  a  terrible  blow  to  him,  but  what  I 
dread  more  is  the  greater  failure,  in  case  he  wins. ' ' 

"Tom  !"  she  cried,  and  he  felt  the  pain  that  sud- 
denly sharpened  her  tone,  "  you  surely  don't  think 
father  will  continue — like  this  I  He  says  he  will  be 
all  right '  when  things  have  resumed  their  normal  con- 
ditions'  ;  those  were  his  words,"  she  continued  in  a 

267 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

sort  of  protest  against  the  reply  she  read  in  his  face. 
"He  even  promised  me  that  if  he  were  elected,  he 
would  try  and  come  to  an  understanding  with  mother 
— about  his  marriage,  you  know." 

"  Helen," — he  took  her  hands  in  his,  hating  himself 
for  the  cruel  words  he  must  speak — "he  will  never  do 
that.  The  very  fact  of  his  making  you  such  a  promise 
shows  that  he  was  irresponsible  at  the  time ;  he  did 
not  know  what  he  was  saying." 

Her  eyes  fell  and  she  tried  to  withdraw  her  hands, 
but  he  held  them  fast,  and  before  the  silent,  pent-up 
anguish  in  her  face,  his  self-imposed  barriers  gave 
way.  He  forgot  everything  but  his  love  for  her.  His 
arms  suddenly  wound  about  her,  straining  her  closer 
and  closer  to  him,  while  he  drew  her  head  down  upon 
his  breast,  bending  his  own  head  above  it  till  his  lips 
touched  her  hair  and  brow.  But  something  in  that 
touch  recalled  him,  and,  with  a  cry  like  one  wounded, 
he  as  suddenly  released  her  and  quit  the  room. 

Helen  possessed  a  keen  sense  of  the  humorous  in  a 
situation  and  not  even  her  grief  over  her  father  could 
restrain  a  faint  smile  as  she  looked  after  the  vanishing 
figure.  Perhaps  the  effect  as  a  counter-irritant  was  to 
be  desired.  She  sank  upon  the  floor  beside  her  father's 
couch  near  the  fireplace  and  her  overwrought  feelings 
found  relief  in  what  she  termed  "  a  good  cry." 


268 


XXIV 

"A  WORD    FITLY  SPOKEN" 


THE  following  day  Richard  Hollingshead  and  his 
wife  arrived.  The  Bonnibel  having  been  sold  years 
before  to  an  English  syndicate,  Hollingshead,  no 
longer  detained  in  Henley,  had  established  himself  as 
a  mining  broker  in  one  of  the  coast  cities,  at  no  great 
distance  from  Eockland. 

Years  of  happiness  had  brought  to  him  and  his 
wife  a  spirit  of  good  cheer  which  seemed  always  to 
diffuse  itself  among  all  with  whom  they  came  in 
contact  and  which  made  them  doubly  welcome  guests 
in  the  Denning  home  at  this  time.  Mrs.  Hollingshead 
was  also  accompanied  by  Dot, — an  exceedingly  dimin- 
utive descendant  of  the  beloved  Psyche,  long  since 
deceased — who  speedily  became  prime  favorite  with 
the  entire  household. 

Hollingshead  had  seen  the  newspaper  accounts  of 
the  arrival  of  Denning' s  son  and  with  his  previous 
knowledge  of  affairs,  had  a  pretty  thorough  under- 
standing of  the  present  situation.  He  had  been  in 
Eockland  but  a  few  hours  before  he  realized  Den- 
ning's  condition,  and  his  frank  friendliness  would  not 
allow  him  to  remain  silent. 

"  See  here,  Mac,  old  man,  this  won't  do,  you  know," 
he  exclaimed,  the  second  morning  after  his  arrival  as, 
on  entering  Denning' s  sitting  room,  he  found  the  latter 
taking  a  stiff  " bracer"  preparatory  to  going  out. 

269 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"  I've  got  to  do  it,  Dick  ;  I'm  on  the  rack  night  and 
day  and  I've  got  to  have  something  to  keep  me  up." 

"In  moderation,  Mac,  but  you're  taking  too  much  ; 
it's  getting  the  best  of  you." 

11  No  danger  of  that,"  said  Denning  confidently  ;  "  I 
know  what  I'm  doing.  Under  ordinary  conditions  it 
would  be  too  much,  I'll  admit,  but  Dick,  under  this 
tremendous  strain  I've  simply  got  to  have  it.  I'll 
drop  it,  you  know,  when  we  get  back  to  normal 
conditions." 

"Mac!"  Hollingshead  interposed  sternly,  but  put- 
ting his  arm  affectionately  about  the  other's  shoulder, 
"You  are  getting  where  you  can't  drop  it.  You  are 
making  a  wreck  of  yourself.  See  how  your  hand 
trembles  and  you've  aged  five  years  since  I  saw  you 
six  months  ago  ;  and  it  isn't  the  strain  of  this  political 
campaign  that's  doing  it,  Mac,  half  so  much  as  your 
own  excesses." 

"Dick,"  Denning  protested  piteously,  "you  don't 
know  what  you're  talking  about;  you  don't  know 
what  I'm  struggling  under." 

"I  come  pretty  near  knowing,  old  man.  I  know 
this  much  :  that  you  could  have  gone  through  this 
political  fight  and  it  wouldn't  have  even  fazed  you, 
if  it  hadn't  been  for  that  other  load  you're  carrying, 
and  that's  pressing  a  good  bit  harder  since  your  son's 
coming  out  here.  Mac,  did  you  have  to  give  him  the 
place  he  holds  ?  I  mean,  did  he  make  any  demands  on 
you?" 

"  Demands  f  No  !  I  almost  had  to  get  on  my  knees 
to  him  to  get  him  to  stay." 

"It  was  a  risky  piece  of  business,  Mac." 

Denning  groaned  :  "  What  else  could  I  do  I  I'  d  got 
270 


"A  WORD  FITLY  SPOKEN" 

to  have  some  one  to  look  after  affairs  at  the  bank,  and 
he  was  the  only  one  who  could  do  it.  Dick,  I  know 
no  more  to-day  of  what  is  going  on  in  that  bank — of 
the  status  of  my  own  accounts  even — than  you  do." 

Hollingshead  shook  his  head:  "That  isn't  like 
you  Mac.  I  wouldn't  have  believed  it  of  you." 

"I  simply  had  to  give  it  up,"  Denning  replied 
wearily ;  then  added  with  sudden  pathetic  earnestness, 
"Dick,  it  isn't  the  fight  that's  doing  me  up,  nor  is  it 
the  other  thing  you  speak  of.  Something  has  got  hold 
of  me  lately  that's  worse  than  all  the  rest  put  together. 
It's  something  indefinable, — I  can't  explain  it — it 
seems  a  sort  of  presentiment  of  impending  evil.  I 
don't  know  whether  it's  a  warning  that  I'm  going  to 
fail,  after  all — if  I  thought  that,  I'd  never  wait  for 
election  day  to  decide  the  matter  ;  I'd  end  it  all  here 
and  now " 

"Nonsense  !  Mac,  don't  talk  that  way  ! "  Hollings- 
head interposed  hastily  ;  "This  whole  thing  is  getting 
on  your  nerves,  that's  all." 

"Well,  whatever  it  is,"  Denning  replied  gloomily, 
"when  it  gets  hold  of  me,  I'm  done  for  till  I  can  get 
something  to  brace  me  up.  And  it  follows  me  day 
and  night, — that  sense  of  evil  just  ahead — it  even 
haunts  my  dreams.  In  the  little  sleep  I  snatch  before 
daylight  I  dream  of  walking  along  precipices,  or 
beside  open  graves,  expecting  every  step  to  pitch 
headlong,  and  wake  with  the  cold  sweat  standing  all 
over  my  body.  Sometimes,  Dick," — he  lifted  his  eyes 
to  Hollingshead' s  face  and  the  latter  was  struck  with 
their  haunted  look — "sometimes  I  think  I'm  a  doomed 
man  ;  but  I'm  fighting  for  my  life.  I  want  you 
to  stay  by  me,  Dick,  to  see  me  through ;  but 

271 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

remember,  it's  life  or  death  with  me,  according  as  I 
win  or  lose." 

"You're  getting  morbid,  Mac.  You'll  be  all  right 
if  only  you  keep  your  head  and  don't  let  that  stuff  get 
away  with  you. — Mac,  let  up  on  that !  You've  had 
enough  ! " 

Denning' s  only  reply  was  to  drain  the  glass  he  had 
just  filled.  Then  he  turned,  facing  his  friend  : 

"  Let  me  alone,  Hollingshead.  I'm  a  desperate  man. 
I'd  be  a  madman  but  for  that.  I've  got  to  down  these 
blue  devils — or  they'll  down  me — and  that's  the  only 
way  to  do  it." 

Hollingshead  sighed  and  turned  away. 

Half  an  hour  later,  he  and  Denning  were  seated 
together  in  the  carriage,  on  their  way  downtown,  the 
latter  exhilarated,  buoyant,  recounting  the  indications 
of  his  coming  victory. 

If  Hollingshead  was  quick  to  note  what  was  amiss 
with  Denning,  his  wife  was  equally  keen  in  her  obser- 
vation of  the  young  people.  Since  that  evening  when 
young  Denning' s  feelings  got  the  better  of  his  judg- 
ment, there  had  been  a  marked  change  in  his  manner 
towards  Helen.  He  avoided  being  alone  with  her  and 
was  silent  and  distrait  in  her  presence ;  while  she, 
though  trying  in  various  ways  to  reassure  him,  was 
yet  unable  to  rid  herself  of  a  certain  constraint — born 
partly  of  his  own  manner — which  almost  unconsciously 
tinctured  her  words  and  actions. 

Of  their  interview  that  evening  preceding  her 
arrival,  Mrs.  Hollingshead,  of  course,  had  no  knowl- 
edge ;  she  saw  only  the  results.  But  one  or  two 
shrewd  questions,  supplemented  by  her  keen  percep- 
tive faculties,  gave  her  an  inkling  of  the  situation. 

272 


"A  WORD  FITLY  SPOKEN" 

She  was  a  firm  believer  in  the  efficacy  of  "a  word 
spoken  in  season,"  and  was  only  awaiting  her 
opportunity  to  say  the  word. 

On  the  fourth  day  after  her  arrival,  there  was  a  driz- 
zling rain,  increasing  towards  night  to  a  violent  storm. 

1 '  Just  the  sort  of  night  to  be  cozy  and  l  comfy '  at 
home  ! ' '  Mrs.  Hollingshead  remarked,  as  the  family 
adjourned  to  the  library  after  dinner. 

"  That's  what !"  her  husband  responded  with  em- 
phasis, stationing  himself  with  his  back  to  the  open 
fire  and  surveying  the  cheerful  apartment  approv- 
ingly :  ' '  Mac,  old  man,  say  we  drop  politics  for  to- 
night and  stay  at  home.  There'll  be  nothing  doing  a 
night  like  this." 

"  Yes,  do  spend  the  evening  with  us,  Mr.  Denning. 
I've  scarcely  seen  you  since  I  came,"  said  Mrs.  Hol- 
lingshead ;  while  Helen's  eyes,  meeting  her  father's, 
added  their  silent  appeal. 

11  That's  just  where  you're  mistaken,  Hollingshead, 
if  you  think  there'll  be  any  let-up  for  storms  or  any- 
thing else,"  Denning  answered  in  a  low  tone,  as  he 
passed  the  fireplace  :  "  The  '  machine '  is  running  now 
to  beat  hell  and  nothing  on  earth  can  stop  it." 

"  Not  so  long  as  you're  a  part  of  it,  that's  certain," 
the  other  retorted. 

Denning  came  over  to  the  table  where  Mrs.  Hollings- 
head and  Helen  had  seated  themselves  with  their 
embroidery. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  seem  remiss  in  my  duties  as  host," 
he  said,  smiling,  "  but  I  will  have  to  ask  your  forbear- 
ance a  little  longer.  After  election,  you  know,  Mrs. 
Hollingshead,  I  will  try  to  atone  for  all  seeming 
neglect." 

18  273 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"And  the  honor  of  being  entertained  by  the 
governor-elect  will,  of  course,  be  our  compensation  for 
waiting,"  she  replied  lightly. 

"I  hope  so.  Meanwhile," — with  a  glance  at  his 
son  who  was  standing  near — UI  deputize  Macavoy 
here,  to  entertain  you  in  my  stead  until  I  am  at 
liberty." 

"  Oh,  he  has  already  thrown  himself  into  the  breach 
like  a  hero,"  she  answered,  laughing.  "He  was  to 
have  taken  us  to  the  theatre  to-night,  but  it's  so 
stormy,  he's  going  to  stay  at  home  and  read  to  us 
instead,  aren't  you,  Tom?" 

Though  this  was  the  first  intimation  he  had  received 
of  any  such  arrangement,  Tom — as  he  was  now  univer- 
sally called  in  the  home  circle  by  all  but  his  father — 
assented,  glancing  involuntarily  at  Helen  as  he  did  so ; 
but  her  eyes  were  on  her  work. 

"Oh,"  said  Mrs.  Hollingshead  mockingly,  "Helen 
is  so  engrossed  with  that  pillow  cover  of  hers,  she 
won't  know  whether  you're  here  or  not.  You  are  to 
read  solely  for  the  diversion  and  edification  of  Dot  and 
myself.  You  will  find  us  a  very  appreciative  audience, 
I  assure  you." 

"Well,  Mac,  if  you  are  going  downtown,  I  may  as 
well  go  along  with  you,"  Hollingshead  remarked  in- 
differently, but  with  a  significant  glance  at  his  wife, 
who  nodded  almost  imperceptibly. 

When  they  had  gone,  Tom  seated  himself  at  the 
opposite  side  of  the  table  and  began  to  read,  Mrs. 
Hollingshead  and  Helen  continuing  their  work,  while 
Dot,  with  her  small  black  nose  on  her  paws  and  her 
eyes  on  Tom's  face,  seemed  the  most  attentive  listener 
of  the  three. 

274 


"A  WORD  FITLY  SPOKEN" 

For  a  time,  all  went  well,  but  after  a  while,  the 
reading  dragged  so  obviously — reader  and  listeners 
seeming  alike  preoccupied — that  at  the  first  convenient 
stopping  place,  Tom  closed  the  book  and  after  a  little 
desultory  talk,  sat  gazing  abstractedly  into  the  fire. 

"Dear  me,  Tom  ! "  said  Mrs.  Hollingshead,  breaking 
the  silence  as  she  stopped  her  work  to  thread  her 
needle,  "  how  much  you  resemble  your  father  !  Don't 
you  think  so,  Helen  ?  " 

"Yes ;  as  father  looked  years  ago." 

"  Oh,  years  ago,  of  course.  When  I  look  at  him  it 
fairly  carries  me  back  to  the  time  I  first  met  Mr. 
Denning,  at  Hampton  Springs.  You  remember  the 
Springs,  don't  you,  Helen  ;  that  place  where  you  and 
your  mother  were  the  summer  before  she  married  Mr. 
Denning?" 

Helen's  reply  was  inaudible,  but  Mrs.  Hollingshead 
was  conscious  of  a  sudden  movement  on  Tom's  part ; 
also  of  a  warning  kick,  vigorously  administered  under 
the  table. 

"What  is  it,  Helen?"  she  inquired  innocently; 
" Oh,  I  had  dropped  my  silk,  hadn't  I?  Thank  you, 
my  dear." 

As  she  picked  up  the  silk  she  had  intentionally 
dropped,  Mrs.  Hollingshead  moved  her  chair  out  of 
range  of  another  similar  warning. 

"Yes,"  she  continued  complacently,  resuming  her 
work  and  her  reminiscences  at  the  same  time,  "taken 
all  in  all,  that  was  quite  an  eventful  summer  for  such 
a  quiet  place ;  and  you — little  chit  that  you  were — 
were  at  the  bottom  of  most  of  the  happenings.  Do 
you  remember  Mr.  Denning' s  snatching  you  out  from 
under  the  railroad  train  that  Sunday  afternoon?" 

275 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"  I  don't  think  I  would  be  likely  to  forget  it,"  Helen 
answered  in  a  low  tone. 

"And  look  at  all  that  followed  that  escapade  of 
yours  !  Mr.  Denning  straightway  became  infatuated 
with  you,  which  resulted  in  his  acquaintance  with 
your  mother  .and  their  marriage.  Then  Dick,  dear 
old  boy !  whom  everybody  had  given  up  for  a  con- 
firmed old  bachelor,  finding  himself  left  out  in  the 
cold,  concluded  of  two  evils  to  choose  the  less,  and  so 
he  married  me  ; — all  because  you  ran  away  that  after- 
noon after  a  lot  of  base-ball  players  and  came  within 
an  ace  of  being  run  over  !  I  should  think  you  would 
feel  weighed  down  with  a  sense  of  responsibility  at  all 
you' ye  done." 

"I  do,"  responded  a  subdued  voice,  which  seemed 
to  vibrate  between  laughter  and  tears. 

Mrs.  Hollingshead  glanced  slyly  at  Tom.  His 
abstraction  had  vanished.  He  was  watching  Helen 
with  strained  eagerness,  his  eyes  strangely  alight,  but 
the  latter  was  bending  so  closely  over  her  work  that 
only  a  very  pink  ear  in  a  haze  of  golden  hair  was 
visible  from  where  he  was  sitting. 

"Mercy  me!"  Mrs.  Hollingshead  suddenly  ex- 
claimed. "If  it  isn't  past  Dot's  bedtime  and  the 
poor  little  dear  is  sound  asleep  !  I  must  put  her 
to  bed,"  and  picking  up  the  unconscious  little  crea- 
ture, she  unceremoniously  left  the  room,  stifling  her 
own  laughter  in  Dot's  silky  coat  when  she  reached 
the  hall. 

Tom  rose  and  strode  quickly  to  the  other  side  of 
the  table. 

"Helen!  what  does  this  mean?"  he  demanded, 
standing  impatiently  before  her. 

276 


"A  WORD  FITLY  SPOKEN" 

She  looked  up,  tears  trembling  on  the  long  lashes, 
lips  quivering  with  suppressed  laughter. 

"Oh,  Tom  !    Isn't  she  positively  the  worst  ever? 

' '  she  broke  off  and  hid  her  face  in  her  work, 

laughing. 

"Mrs.  Hollingshead  !  I'll  bless  her  to  the  end 
of  my  days  if  she  has  only  spoken  the  truth!" 
Tom.  exclaimed,  pulling  the  work  from  her  unre- 
sisting hands  and  throwing  it  on  the  table  :  "Helen, 
tell  me  5  is  it  true!  Are  you  not  my  father's 
daughter!" 

"  Only  by  adoption — but  Tom,  he  has  been  so  good 
to  me  it  seems  like  denying  him " 

"Then  you  and  I  are  in  no  way  related?"  he  de- 
manded again,  with  breathless  eagerness,  not  heeding 
any  side  issues. 

"  In  no  way,  Tom." 

Then,  as  he  gazed  at  her,  seemingly  speechless, 
scarcely  able  to  grasp  the  truth  so  suddenly  thrust 
upon  him,  she  asked  softly  : 

' l  Why,  Tom  I  Are  you  tired  of  being  my  brother  ? ' ' 

What  followed  would  have  sounded  incoherent  to 
an  outsider,  but  Love's  language,  however  broken,  is 
always  intelligible  to  lovers. 

Words  gave  place  to  silence,  more  eloquent,  preg- 
nant with  tender  meanings.  It  was  Tom  who  at  length 
broke  the  silence,  as  he  asked,  wonderingly,  half 
reproachfully  : 

'  <  WTiy  did  you  not  tell  me  this  at  first,  Helen  ?  You 
must  have  known  that  I  loved  you." 

"Partly,  to  please  father,"  she  said, — she  glanced 
slyly  at  him — "I  would  seem  so  much  i nearer'  to  you 
if  you  considered  me  your  sister  ! ' ' 

277 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Tom  smiled  faintly :  "As  though  he  ever  could  be 
a  competent  judge  in  such  matters  !  " 

"And  then,"  Helen  continued  hesitatingly,  "I 
wasn't  quite  sure,  you  know,  and  I  rather  wanted  to 
see  whether  you  would  be  a  success  as  a  brother  ;  but 
— you  were  a  decided  failure,"  she  added,  with 
laughing  emphasis. 

"You  might  have  known  beforehand  that  I  would 
be,  without  putting  me  to  the  test ; "  he  replied,  half 
indignantly  ;  then  drawing  her  to  him  with  a  sort  of 
fierce  tenderness,  he  added  gravely  : 

"You  will  have  to  be  very  good  to  me,  Helen,  to 
make  amends  for  withholding  this  blessed  truth  so 
long.  You  don't  know  what  I've  suffered." 

"I'm  sorry,  dear;  I'll  try,"  was  the  penitent, 
though  slightly  ambiguous  reply. 


278 


XXV 

THE  "MACHINE" 


DENNING  spoke  the  truth  that  night  when  he  said 
nothing  could  stop  the  political  "machine."  He  had 
manipulated  its  levers  so  long  that  none  could  gauge 
its  strength  or  measure  the  speed  of  its  revolutions 
more  surely  than  he,  and  none  knew  better  than  he 
that  soon,  by  the  force  of  its  own  momentum,  it  must 
bring  destruction  to  one  side  or  the  other.  But  he  did 
not  know  that  on  that  night,  a  new  force  was  set  in  mo- 
tion within  the  complicated  mechanism, — the  "  wheels 
within  the  wheels" — which  was  to  single  him  out  as 
the  object  of  its  pitiless  power. 

On  that  stormy  night,  Wright,  the  chairman  of  the 
Democratic  State  committee,  made  a  brief  visit  to 
Eockland  and  a  private  meeting  was  held  in  his  room 
at  the  hotel,  at  which  were  present,  Layton,  the  new 
manager  of  the  BvMetin,  Todd,  manager  of  the  Inde- 
pendent, and  Meyers,  its  editor,  the  last  named  enter- 
ing the  hotel  by  a  rear  entrance  and  gliding  stealthily 
up  back  stairways  and  along  the  corridors  like  a 
sneak-thief. 

But  little  was  said  at  this  meeting ;  those  present 
had  come  together  by  pre-arrangement  and  each  knew 
the  business  upon  which  he  had  come.  Meyers,  on 
entering  the  room,  surreptitiously  passed  something  to 
Todd  who  was  seated  near  the  door,  and  a  few  moments 

279 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

later,  Todd  and  Wright  had  exchanged  two  sealed 
packages.  The  latter  proceeded,  in  a  business-like 
way,  to  open  the  package  in  his  hands,  Layton  hang- 
ing over  his  shoulders  with  feverish  excitement.  A 
number  of  typewritten  documents  were  brought  to 
view,  which  Wright  sorted,  giving  two  or  three 
to  Layton,  and  both  concentrated  their  attention 
on  their  contents.  Meanwhile,  Todd  had  broken 
the  seals  of  his  package,  taking  therefrom  a  pile 
of  crisp  bank  notes  which  he  counted  and  pro- 
ceeded to  divide  with  Meyers.  The  latter  seemed 
at  first  unwilling  to  take  the  money  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  others ;  then  changing  his  mind,  pocketed 
it  hastily. 

The  faces  of  the  other  two  were  a  study.  Lay  ton's 
features  were  twitching  with  excitement,  but  Wright 
preserved  a  tolerably  impassive  face  till  near  the  end 
of  the  final  paper,  when  he  gave  a  low  whistle  and 
gazed  at  Layton  in  astonishment. 

11 1  tell  you,  boys,  you've  got  a  '  scoop '  there,"  Todd 
exclaimed,  ''there'll  be  l  a  hot  time  in  town '  the  night 
that's  published." 

"  It' s  all  right, ' '  said  the  committee  man  laconically. 
11  Everything  is  satisfactory  to  you  and  Mr.  Meyers,  I 
trust." 

"  Perfectly  satisfactory,  sir,  and  much  obliged," 
Todd  replied  cheerfully,  while  Meyers  blinked  and 
remained  silent. 

11  Understand  now,"  Wright  continued,  "we  have 
the  exehuave  rights  to  this,  to  use  when  and  as  we 
please,  and  we  don't  want  any  'butting  in'  on  this 
business  by  the  Independent." 

"  Of  course  5  we'll  give  you  a  clear  field.  You've 
280 


THE  "MACHINE" 

paid  for  it  and  it's  yours,"  Todd  responded,  to  which 
Meyers  added,  with  a  malicious  smile  : 

"We  have  no  interest  in  the  matter,  Mr.  "Wright. 
"We  are  politically  neutral  and  personally  friendly  to 
Mr.  Denning.  Mr.  Layton,  on  the  contrary,  is  known 
to  have  a  grievance,  so  his  part  in  this  is  only  to  be 
expected." 

"God  help  Denning,  if  all  his  'personal  friends' 
are  of  your  stamp  ! "  Layton  retorted,  with  undisguised 
contempt. 

Todd  and  "Wright  joined  in  a  laugh  at  Meyers' 
expense  and  the  latter  left  the  room. 

"How  soon  does  this  come  off,  Wright?"  Todd 
asked,  preparing  to  follow  his  coadjutor. 

"Can't  say  definitely,"  the  other  returned  shortly. 
"  We  can  afford  to  '  lay  low '  for  a  few  days  now." 

"You  bet  you  can,  and  a  slow  fuse  is  sometimes 
best.  Good  night,  gentlemen." 

"  Damn  that  little  yellow  dog  ! "  Layton  exclaimed 
when  they  were  alone. 

"  Who?  Meyers?  What  can  you  expect  of  him? 
It's  the  nature  of  the  beast.  We've  got  our  work  to 
do  and  we  mustn't  be  too  particular  about  the  tools  we 
do  it  with,"  Wright  answered  coolly,  again  going  over 
the  papers  in  his  hands. 

1  i  His  talk  about  my  having  a  '  grievance '  makes 
me  tired  when  this  business  is  his  own  spite-work. 
Did  you  see  the  cur  refuse  his  share  of  the  money  when 
Todd  offered  it  to  him  ?  Trying  to  keep  up  an  appear- 
ance before  us  of  having  no  hand  in  this,  when  others 
besides  ourselves  are  paying  him  for  the  same  job  ! " 

"What  do  you  mean?  "  Wright  asked,  startled. 

"Hughes  told  me  to-day  that  he  had  promised 

281 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Meyers  a  secretaryship  when  he  goes  to  "Washington, 
if  he  would  make  sure  of  Denning' s  defeat." 

11  Does  Hughes  know  anything  of  this  ?  "  pointing  to 
the  papers  in  his  hands. 

"Nothing  whatever." 

"Wright  looked  relieved.  "If  Meyers'  secretaryship 
depends  on  Hughes'  going  to  Washington,  he'll  need 
a  telescope  to  find  it,"  he  retorted  grimly.  ""With 
Denning  disposed  of,  we'll  have  things  pretty  much 
our  own  way." 

"Well,  I  guess  this  'disposes'  of  him  pretty 
effectually,"  Layton  remarked. 

"By  Jingo  !  Layton,  it's  a  regular  bomb  !  It  will 
blow  him  sky-high." 

Between  themselves  they  speedily  arranged  the  de- 
tails of  this  future  "development,"  and  before  midnight 
Wright  was  on  his  return  to  the  capital  city,  without 
more  than  a  half  dozen  persons  being  aware  that  the 
chairman  of  the  State  committee  had  visited  Rockland. 

Wright's  boast  that  his  party  could  afford  to  '  lay 
low '  was  soon  realized.  It  lacked  less  than  ten  days 
of  election  when  Denning  and  his  lieutenants,  keeping 
a  constant  look-out  over  the  battle  field,  noted  a  sudden 
cessation  of  hostilities  on  the  part  of  the  enemy.  The 
heavy  firing  ceased  altogether,  the  fusilade  dwindling 
to  a  few  stray  shots  sent  out,  apparently,  at  random, 
aimless  and  harmless. 

Perhaps  in  no  way  was  the  mental  change  in  Den- 
ning more  strikingly  evidenced  than  by  his  blind 
acceptance  of  this  temporary  lull  as  a  favorable 
indication.  While  his  most  intimate  friends  and 
advisers  viewed  it  with  distrust,  if  not  with  alarm,  he 
became  optimistic,  even  jubilant. 

282 


THE  "MACHINE" 

11  Why,  man  alive,  I  tell  you  we've  spiked  their 
guns  at  last,"  he  said  to  Hollingshead,  in  reply  to  some 
cautionary  counsel  of  his  ;  "  they'  re  worsted  and  they 
know  it.'.' 

'*  Don't  you  fool  yourself,  Mac,"  the  other  replied, 
with  old-time  bluntness.  "  If  they  thought  they  were 
worsted,  they'  d  be  fighting  like  desperate  men.  You 
know  how  that  is  yourself.  It  looks  to  me  as  though 
they  were  only  waiting  to  spring  something  onus." 

The  unnatural  light  in  Denning' s  eyes  died  and  the 
piteous,  haunted  look  returned.  Hollingshead  knew 
too  well  what  it  betokened. 

11  Above  all  things,  Mac,"  he  pleaded,  "keep  your 
head  level  and  your  brain  clear  now.  We're  liable  to 
be  taken  by  surprise  any  minute  and  we  want  our  wits 
about  us." 

That  evening,  as  Hollingshead  was  leaving  one  of 
the  clubs,  he  lingered  for  a  moment  on  the  steps  above 
the  pavement,  uncertain  how  he  should  pass  the  time 
for  the  next  hour  or  so.  It  was  a  dark  night  and  he 
stood  at  a  little  distance  from  the  entrance,  near  a 
small  recess  in  the  facade  of  the  building  and  in  the 
additional  shadow  of  a  large  column.  The  moderate 
step  of  a  heavy  man,  walking  at  a  leisurely  gait,  ap- 
proached from  one  direction  and  the  quick,  nervous 
step  of  a  small  man  came  rapidly  from  the  opposite 
direction.  Hollingshead  could  distinguish  the  outlines 
of  their  forms  as  they  met. 

" Hullo,  Meyers!"  drawled  the  larger  man, 
stopping. 

1 '  Why  hullo,  Davis  !  Is  that  you  ? ' '  was  the  quick 
response. 

' l  It  appears  to  be.     What' s  the  news  t ' ' 
283 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"  Nothing  doing,"  the  other  replied  significantly. 

"Tell  me  something  I  don't  know,"  said  the  drawl- 
ing voice,  laughing. 

"Give  me  something  easy,"  the  other  laughed  in 
return  ;  then  added,  ' i  Putting  up  any  money  on  the 
election,  Joe?" 

"I *    Not  much  !    Too  damned  close  for  me  ! " 

"Joe,  what  would  you  give  for  a  tip  ?  " 

"Straight?" 

"Straight." 

There  was  a  moment's  silence,  during  which  Hol- 
lingshead  withdrew  more  closely  into  the  niche  behind 
the  column. 

"Fifteen  per  cent,  of  the  winnings,"  came  tenta- 
tively at  length. 

"You  can  afford  to  do  better  than  that,  Joe." 

"  Huh  !    You  must  have  a  '  sure  thing '  then  ! " 

"I  have,  but  nobody  knows  it  as  yet." 

"Well,  trot  her  out,  Meyers,  and  let's  see  what  she 
looks  like.  If  she  steps  off  well,  I'll  agree  to 
twenty-five  per  cent." 

"Don't  talk  loud,"  said  Meyers,  lowering  his  own 
voice  till  Hollingshead  had  to  strain  every  nerve  to 
listen.  "Put  every  dollar  you  can  scrape  together, 
Joe,  on  Knox." 

"Knox!  Well,  that  knocks  the  breath  out  of  a 
fellow,  damned  if  it  don't!  Why,  Denning' s  got  as 
good  a  show  as  Knox,  any  day,  if  not  better." 

"  Denning' s  goose  is  cooked." 

"Cooked,  eh?  You  don't  say!  Well,  by  Jinks, 
then  you  must  have  had  a  hand  in  cooking  it ! " 

"I've  nothing  more  to  say,  Joe,  only  this  :  Watch 
out  for  the  Bulletin." 

384 


THE  "MACHINE" 

"The  Bulletin!  What's  the  matter  with  the 
Independent  ? ' ' 

"  Never  mind.  What's  the  use  in  doing  a  piece  of 
work  yourself  when  another  fellow  will  pay  you  to 
take  it  off  your  hands?  There's  a  crowd  coming,  we'd 
better  separate,  so  good  night.  Take  my  advice,  Joe." 

"  Oh,  I'll  take  it.  I'll  stake  every  dollar  I  can  beg, 
borrow  or  steal." 

Then,  as  the  quick,  nervous  footsteps  hurried  away, 
the  larger  man  turned  slowly  and  moved  off  in  the 
opposite  direction,  muttering  audibly  : 

"Well,  I'm  blowed,  damned  if  I  ain't !" 

Hollingshead  emerged  from  his  hiding  place  and 
hastened  down  the  street.  The  name  of  Meyers  and 
the  voice  had  recalled  to  him  Denning' s  secretary 
during  his  term  of  mayor,  and  with  the  recollection 
there  had  flashed  before  him  that  scene  in  the  mayor's 
office,  years  before,  giving  him,  as  he  believed,  the  key 
to  the  present  situation.  The  conviction  was  borne 
in  upon  his  mind  that  what  Eichards  had  told  that 
day  was  the  foundation  upon  which  the  enemy  was 
preparing  its  coup  d'etat. 

He  arrived  breathless  at  Denning' s  office,  only  to  be 
reminded  that  Denning  had  gone  to  a  political  meet- 
ing in  an  adjoining  town  and  would  not  return  until 
midnight.  A  number  of  Denning' s  political  associates 
had  congregated  in  the  outer  office,  as  the  town  to 
which  he  had  gone  to  deliver  an  address  was  regarded 
as  one  of  the  strategic  points,  and  reports  of  the  meet- 
ing were  coming  in  from  Denning' s  secretary  who  had 
accompanied  him. 

In  Denning' s  private  office,  Hollingshead  found  his 
confidential  clerk  and  a  young  stranger. 

285 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"  Anything  wrong,  Mr.  Hollingshead  ?  "  the  clerk  in- 
quired, startled  by  Hollingshead' s  worried  appearance. 

The  latter  glanced  cautiously  at  the  stranger. 

"Oh,  haven't  you  met  Mr.  Bingham,  Mr.  Hollings- 
head ?  Pardon  me.  Mr.  Bingham  is  chairman  of  the 
Cass  County  committee  and  one  of  Mr.  Denning' s  most 
trusted  lieutenants." 

"  Perhaps  you  fellows  can  help  me  out,"  said  Hol- 
lingshead as  he  and  Bingham  shook  hands.  "  It's  as 
I  thought,  Brown ;  those  chaps  have  got  something  up 
their  sleeves  and  unless  we  can  get  in  our  work  on 
short  notice,  the  deuce  and  all  will  be  to  pay  ;  "  and  he 
repeated  what  he  had  overheard. 

"  Great  Scott !  How  are  we  to  get  our  work  in,  so 
long  as  we  don't  know  what  they're  up  to  ?  "  the  clerk 
questioned  in  dismay. 

"Have  you  any  idea  what  their  game  is,  Mr. 
Hollingshead  *?"  Bingham  asked  eagerly. 

"Yes,  I've  more  than  half  an  idea,  but  I'd  give  a 
hundred  dollars  to  make  sure  ;  for  if  it's  what  I  sus- 
pect, there's  just  one  move  to  make — and  make  it 
damned  quick,  too — to  try  and  checkmate  them  ;  but 
it's  a  move  we  don't  want  to  make  unless  we're 
obliged  to." 

"I  see,"  Bingham  replied  emphatically.  ""Where 
is  this  Bulletin  office  ?  "  he  asked  a  moment  later. 

Brown  gave  the  desired  information,  and  the  young 
man  turned  quickly  to  Hollingshead  : 

1 '  Mr.  Hollingshead,  let  me  go  out  and  nose  around 
for  a  while.  I'm  a  stranger  here, — so  nobody  will  be 
1  on '  to  me — I  know  a  newspaper  office  from  the l  devil ' 
up  and  I've  occasionally  done  a  bit  of  detective  work. 
If  there  are  any  ( straws'  blowing  about,  I'll  find  how 

286 


THE  "MACHINE" 

the  wind  is  and  report  to  you  here  in  the  course  of  an 
hour  or  so,"  and  before  the  other  could  reply,  he  was 
off  on  his  self-appointed  mission. 

"I  guess  that's  your  man,  all  right,"  Brown  re- 
marked as  the  door  closed  behind  him.  "He's  a 
bright  young  fellow  and  he's  done  mighty  good  work 
for  Denning  out  there  in  his  county.  He'll  catch  on, 
if  anybody  can." 

An  hour  later  Bingham  returned,  and  at  a  sign 
from  Hollingshead,  followed  the  latter  into  the  private 
office.  The  look  in  his  eyes  as  he  faced  Hollingshead 
alone,  told  the  latter  that  his  surmise  regarding  the 
enemy's  work  had  proved  correct. 

"Mr.  Hollingshead,  do  you  know — is  it  possi- 
ble  "  he  stammered,  "that  they  will  try  to  bring 

a— criminal  charge  against  Mr.  Denning! " 

"It  is  possible,"  said  Hollingshead  calmly;  then 
noting  the  consternation  in  the  other's  face,  he  added  : 
"  Tell  me  just  what  you  have  learned." 

"  There  isn't  much  to  tell.  I  went  down  to  the  Bul- 
letin offices  and  they  have  a  lot  of  new  presses,  you 
know,  in  operation  in  the  windows." 

Hollingshead  nodded. 

"  There  was  a  crowd  outside  watching  them  and  I 
got  in  the  crowd.  By  and  by  two  or  three  fellows 
went  inside.  I  slipped  in  with  them  and  got  into  the 
compositors'  room  where  I  walked  round  a  bit  without 
attracting  much  attention,  and  when  anyone  did  speak 
to  me,  I  gave  him  a  song  and  dance  about  having  come 
in  from  the  country  for  a  job.  But  I  didn't  get  'on'  to 
anything  till  I  saw  an  old  fellow  working  by  himself, 
apart  from  the  rest  and,  after  awhile,  I  stumbled  up 
against  him  and  asked  him  some  question.  He  told 

287 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

me  to  'get  to  hell  out  of  there'  and  I  'got,'  bnt  not 
before  I'd  seen  a  form,  made  up,  lying  beside  him, 
partly  covered.  I  only  saw  a  part  of  two  head  lines, 
but  this  was  what  I  read  : " 

He  handed  Hollingshead  a  bit  of  paper  on  which 
he  had  written  as  follows  : 

unearthed  at  last !  ! 

didate  for  Governor  a  Bigamist !  !  ! 

"As  I  thought!"  Hollingshead  groaned,  crushing 
the  bit  of  paper  in  his  hand  as  though  he  were  trying 
to  crush  the  report  itself ;  then  smoothing  it  out  and 
reading  it  again. 

"  Good  God  !  Is  that  what  you  suspected  ?  "  Bing- 
ham  exclaimed.  "  But  you  don't  mean  to  say  there's 
any  truth  in  it?"  he  added  incredulously,  noting  the 
anxiety  depicted  on  the  other's  countenance. 

11  There's  just  enough  truth  in  it  that  we  can't  deny 
it  in  toto,"  Hollingshead  answered  bitterly.  "The 
worst  calumnies  are  those  with  a  foundation  of  truth. 
There  is  an  explanation,  but  newspaper-scandal- 
mongers don't  wait  for  explanations,  or  want  them." 

As  he  spoke,  he  pushed  a  button  beside  Denning' s 
desk. 

"Brown,"  he  said,  as  the  clerk  appeared,  "find  out 
to  a  certainty  how  soon  Mr.  Denning  will  be  here." 

"Patton  just  'phoned  over,  Mr.  Hollingshead,  that 
they  wouldn't  be  back  till  morning,  about  four 
o'clock,  he  said." 

"Four  o'clock!"  Hollingshead  exclaimed,  "What 
does  he  mean  ?  Have  they  gone  mad  over  there  ?  " 

"He  said  there  was  going  to  be  a  banquet  at  mid- 
night, and  they  wanted  Mr.  Denning  to  stay  over  for 
another  speech." 

288 


THE    "MACHINE" 

"Call  him  up  and  let  me  talk  to  him,"  said  Hol- 
lingshead  angrily.  "I'll  tell  him  there's  something 
besides  speeches  and  banquets  on  the  program 
to-night." 

"  But  I  can't  call  him  up,  Mr.  Hollingshead,"  Brown 
protested.  "Patton  said  they  were  just  leaving  the 
building,  last  thing  before  he  rang  off,  and  that  was 
fifteen  minutes  since.  I  wouldn't  know  where  to  find 
him  now." 

Hollingshead  turned  on  his  heel  with  something  be- 
tween an  oath  and  a  groan  ;  he  knew  only  too  well  the 
condition  in  which  Denning  would,  in  all  probability, 
return  at  four  o'  clock. 

Brown  seemed  about  to  make  some  inquiries,  but 
after  a  second  glance  at  Hollingshead,  withdrew 
silently. 

"Mr.  Hollingshead,  is  there  anything  I  can  do?" 
Bingham  inquired.  1 1  You  said  a  while  ago,  you  know, 
there  was  one  move  to  make  to  checkmate  them  ;  I'll 
be  only  too  glad  to  help  out  if  I  can." 

"You've  done  us  good  service  already,  Mr.  Bing- 
ham, and  here's  a  little  evidence  of  our  appreciation 
of  it — take  it,  I  insist  upon  it" — as  Bingham  at  first 
refused  the  roll  of  bills  the  other  thrust  into  his  hand 
— "I  said  I'd  pay  that  much  for  a  clue  and  I  meant  it. 
You  did  your  part  well ;  it  was  a  clever  bit  of  work 
and  might  save  the  day  for  us  if  Denning  were  only 
on  hand.  But  say  nothing  of  it  at  present ;  I  won't 
even  attempt  an  explanation  to-night." 

"  I  understand.  There's  nothing  can  be  done  then, 
till  Mr.  Denning' s  return?  " 

"  Nothing.     It's  up  to  Denning  himself  now." 

In  the  outer  office  Brown  was  seated  alone,  the 
19  289 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

loungers  having  taken  their  departure  on  learning  that 
Denning  would  not  return  till  morning.  He  glanced 
up  inquiringly  as  Bingham  passed  through  the  room. 

"Mr.  Hollingshead  seems  rather  excited,"  he 
remarked  tentatively. 

"Yes.  Who  is  he,  Brown?  I  don't  recall  having 
heard  his  name,  but  he  seems  closely  associated  with 
Denning." 

1 '  You'  ve  never  heard  of  him,  for  he' s  not  in  politics, 
and  never  will  be,  but  he  is  Denning' s  intimate  friend, 
and  the  only  one,  at  that ;  known  him  from  boyhood, 
I  believe.  He's  not  easily  stirred  up,  you  must  have 
learned  something  unpleasant  ; ' '  the  gray-haired  con- 
fidential clerk  regarded  the  younger  man  searchingly. 

"It  seems  so,"  the  latter  replied  quietly;  then  in 
answer  to  the  questioning  look,  he  added  :  "It's  noth- 
ing that  I  understand  myself,  and  I'm  not  at  liberty 
to  say  anything,  if  I  did.  I  only  gleaned  a  word  or 
two 5  they  seemed  significant  to  Mr.  Hollingshead, 
however,  but  he  gave  no  explanation.  I  think  it  some- 
thing of  a  personal  nature,  rather  than  political." 

"  There's  precious  few  of  'em  but  have  got  a  vulner- 
able spot  in  their  armor  somewhere,  and  the  enemy  gen- 
erally finds  it,"  Brown  replied,  with  a  shrewd  smile. 

"  That's  about  right,  I  guess.     Good  night." 

Hollingshead  did  not  leave  immediately,  though 
Brown  was  waiting  for  him  to  do  so.  Instead,  he 
walked  up  and  down  the  private  office,  occasionally 
relieving  his  mind  by  sundry  emphatic  expletives  and 
ejaculations. 

" Denning' s  an  ass  ! "  he  soliloquized  at  last.  "He 
can't  be  trusted  any  longer  to  manage  for  himself,  and 
by  Jove !  I  may  as  well  take  things  into  my  own 

290 


THE  "MACHINE" 

hands !  It's  the  only  possible  show  to  pull  him 
through,  and  if  it  fails,  it  can't  make  things  any 
worse,  for  they're  as  bad  as  they  can  be." 

So  saying,  he  seated  himself  at  Denning' s  desk,  rang 
for  Brown,  ordered  him  to  call  a  messenger,  wrote  a 
note  to  his  wife  and  had  it  ready  as  a  heavy-eyed,  wan- 
faced  messenger  boy  entered  the  room.  As  he  handed 
him  the  note,  he  spun  a  shining  five  dollar  gold  piece 
on  the  desk  in  front  of  him. 

"Boy,  do  you  see  that?"  he  said.  "  Bring  mean 
answer  within  thirty  minutes  and  it's  yours.  Now, 
step  lively  for  once  in  your  life  ! " 

The  dull  eyes  lighted  with  a  strange  gleam  and  the 
boy  tore  out  of  the  office  at  such  a  rate,  that  Brown, 
still  patiently  waiting  outside,  started  from  his  chair 
as  though  it  had  been  an  electric  battery. 

The  next  half  hour  Hollingshead  devoted  to  the 
writing  of  a  telegram ;  rewriting  it  so  many  times — 
tearing  up  one  blank  after  another  as  soon  as  he  had 
filled  it  out — that  by  the  time  he  had  accomplished 
the  task  in  a  manner  satisfactory  to  himself,  the 
messenger  arrived,  breathless  and  eagerly  expectant. 

Hollingshead  paid  the  boy  the  gold  piece,  burned 
his  abortive  telegrams  in  the  fireplace,  and  putting  on 
his  topcoat  and  hat,  sallied  forth,  to  the  evident  relief 
of  Brown. 

Instead  of  returning  to  the  Denning  mansion,  how- 
ever, he  went  to  the  railway  station,  where  he  took  the 
first  train  for  an  obscure  town  some  miles  distant,  and 
at  which  he  remained  till  towards  morning,  returning 
to  Eockland  on  the  same  train  which  brought  Denning 
and  his  political  friends,  but  without  their  knowledge 
of  the  fact. 

291 


XXVI 

A  DESPERATE  CHANCE 


THE  following  morning  Denning  was,  as  usual, 
absent  from  the  breakfast  table.  Hollingshead  was 
there,  but  his  appearance  was  not  calculated  to  inspire 
cheerfulness.  Haggard  from  loss  of  sleep, — with 
him  an  infrequent  occurrence — moody  and  silent,  he 
scarcely  tasted  his  breakfast  as  he  sat  mentally  review- 
ing his  action  of  the  preceding  night  and  anticipating 
the  coming  interview  with  Denning. 

Tom  and  Helen,  noting  his  gloomy  abstraction, 
exchanged  troubled  glances  and  became  themselves 
silent  in  turn.  Mrs.  Hollingshead,  after  two  or  three 
efforts  to  sustain  conversation,  abandoned  the  attempt 
as  hopeless.  Even  Dot  seemed  to  find  the  atmosphere 
oppressive,  as,  with  uplifted,  inquisitive  nose,  she 
scanned  the  faces  about  her  in  evident  perplexity. 

Comment  or  question  was  not  to  be  thought  of, 
however,  in  the  presence  of  servants  and  before  the 
meal  was  over,  Hollingshead  excused  himself  and  left 
the  room.  His  wife  gave  no  information  beyond  the 
fact  that  he  was  out  of  town  all  night  on  business  for 
Mr.  Denning.  If  she  knew  aught  regarding  the 
nature  of  that  business,  she  did  not  divulge  it. 

When  Denning,  two  hours  later,  entered  his  sitting 
room,  he  found  Hollingshead  awaiting  him.  He 

292 


A  DESPERATE  CHANCE 

was  in  remarkably  good  spirits,  but  at  the  sight 
of  the  other's  face,  the  cheerful  greeting  on  his  lips 
died. 

"What's  the  matter,  Dick?  Any  bad  news?"  he 
asked,  with  sudden  apprehension,  "  I've  only  glanced 
at  the  paper  this  morning " 

"  There's  nothing  in  the  papers  yet,"  Hollingshead 
interposed  grimly,  l '  and  I  only  hope  to  God  there 
won't  be  till  you've  had  time  to  extricate  yourself." 

Denning  turned  pale  as  though  with  a  prescience  of 
what  was  coming. 

"What  is  it,  Dick?  It  must  be  something 
serious." 

"It's  damned  serious,  Mac,  old  man,"  said  Hol- 
lingshead, with  more  feeling  than  he  had  shown  ; 
"  The  situation  is  a  desperate  one,  but  you've  got  one 
fighting  chance  left  and  I  want  you  to  pull  yourself 
together  and  make  the  most  of  it." 

Hollingshead  had  touched  the  right  chord. 

"If  it's  fighting  they  want,  I'll  give  them  enough 
of  it,"  Denning  answered  ;  "I'll  show  them  I've  only 
been  playing  with  them  until  now." 

"Mac,"  said  Hollingshead,  coming  nearer,  "it's 
a  deep  game  they'  re  playing.  They'  ve  got  you  pretty 
nearly  check-mated,  but  there  was  just  one  move  to 
make,  and  as  you  were  not  here  last  night,  I  took 
things  in  my  own  hands  and  made  that  move 
myself." 

"  Well,  what  have  you  done? "  Denning  asked  with 
a  sort  of  desperate  calmness  as  the  other  paused 

"  I  have  telegraphed  for  your  wife,  Mac." 

"For  my  wife?  You  have  telegraphed  for  Mrs. 
Denning?"  he  repeated,  the  truth  slowly  dawning 

293 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

upon  him,  "Good  God,  Hollingshead !  has  it  come 
to  that  ?  Is  that  their  game  ?  " 

"  That's  the  game,  Mac.  I  got  on  to  it  last  night 
with  the  help  of  your  man,  Bingham.  The  whole  thing 
is  coming  out  in  the  Bulletin  in  a  day  or  two " 

"The  Bulletin — Laytonf  What  does  he  know?" 
Denning  interposed,  a  shade  more  hopefully. 

"Wehavn't  time  for  details,  Mac,  but  Meyers  is 
at  the  bottom  of  this.  He  was  with  us  and  heard 
Richards'  story  that  day — you  remember? — and  he 
has  simply  put  two  and  two  together  and  given  the 
results  into  Lay  ton's  hands." 

Denning  sank  with  a  muttered  curse  into  the  chair 
before  his  desk  and  leaned  his  head  on  his  hands. 

11  Don't  you  see,  Mac,  there's  no  time  to  waste?" 
Hollingshead  continued  earnestly.  "  The  only  thing 
to  do  is  to  meet  your  wife  and  have  the  ceremony 
performed,  if  possible,  before  the  report  comes  out ; 
then  you  will  be  in  a  position  to  fight  back.  That 
was  why  I  telegraphed  last  night ;  there  was  no  time 
to  lose  and ' ' 

"And  you  think  you  could  send  a  message  of  that 
kind  without  the  whole  thing  becoming  public  before 
she  could  reach  here?"  Denning  demanded,  lifting 
his  head  and  gazing  at  Hollingshead  with  eyes  that 
seemed  ablaze. 

"Mac," — the  other  laid  a  hand  on  his  shoulder  as 
he  spoke — "I  went  to  Olney  to  send  that  telegram. 
The  place  has  scarcely  a  hundred  inhabitants  and  they 
were  all  abed  and  asleep,  the  operator  himself  was 
only  half  awake.  I  wired  your  wife  that  an  urgent 
business  proposition  demanded  her  immediate,  per- 
sonal attention,  and  that  you  would  meet  her  and 

294 


A  DESPERATE  CHANCE 

explain,  and  I  stayed  there  until  I  got  a  wire  that  she 
would  start  by  the  first  train." 

"  I  tell  you,  Dick,  she'll  raise  the  very  devil  when 
she  gets  here,"  Denning  groaned,  rising,  and  striding 
up  and  down  the  room  like  a  caged  beast. 

"And  I  tell  you,"  Hollingshead  retorted,  losing 
patience,  "  you'll  have  the  very  devil  to  face  in  a  day 
or  two  as  it  is,  and  you  had  better  get  ready  for  it." 

He  planted  himself  directly  in  front  of  Denning. 

"  Listen  to  me,  Mac  !  There's  no  need  of  your  wife 
coming  here  at  all ;  it  is  only  necessary  that  she  be 
within  the  State.  Take  my  advice.  Get  away  as 
quickly  and  quietly  as  you  can  in  your  private  car. 
If  any  one  knows  of  your  going,  it  will  be  supposed 
you  are  on  political  business.  By  to-morrow  morning 
you  can  meet  her  near  the  State  boundary,  sidetrack 
at  a  certain  small  town  I  can  tell  you  of,  have  the 
ceremony  performed  in  your  car,  and  she  can  then 
return  to  B.  C.  and  you  to  Eockland  without  any  one 
being  the  wiser." 

"  How  about  a  license? "  Denning  demanded. 

"I'll  fix  that.  I'll  give  you  a  letter  to  an  old 
fellow  I  know,  in  the  town  I  spoke  of,  who  will  get 
whatever  is  needed  and  be  as  silent  as  the  grave. 
He'll  do  anything  for  me,  or  any  friend  of  mine." 

Denning  resumed  his  pacing  up  and  down,  but 
more  moderately. 

"You  have  laid  your  plans  well,  "  he  said  at  last, 
"if  my  wife  doesn't  overthrow  the  whole  thing. 
Dick," — he  wheeled  suddenly — "they've  got  me 
cornered — I'll  admit  it — but  I'd  fight  the  whole  gang, 
single-handed  and  alone,  and  win  out,  but  for  that 
woman." 

295 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"  You  may  win  out  yet,  Mac ;  but  this  is  your  only 
chance." 

u  Yes,  it's  my  only  chance — and  a  desperate  one — 
but  I'll  make  the  most  of  it.  I'll  bring  that  woman  to 
terms  if  I  can ;  if  not — I'll  defy  her  to  do  her  worst." 

They  spent  an  hour  or  so  in  the  arrangement  of 
details. 

11  Above  all  things,  Mac,"  said  Hollingshead,  when 
their  plans  were  completed,  ' '  keep  your  head  clear  ; 
you  can't  afford  to  lose  your  grip  on  things  for  a 
moment." 

ll~No  danger  of  that  with  something  definite  to 
fight,"  Denning  retorted.  "  That's  only  when  the 
blue- devils  get  me,  when  I  have  to  fight  shadows  and 
phantoms.  I'm  up  against  the  real  thing,  now." 

The  next  few  hours  were  filled  with  preparations 
for  as  quiet  a  departure  as  possible.  Denning' s 
private  car,  on  some  slight  pretext,  was  sent  to  the 
repair  shops,  at  some  distance  from  the  station,  from 
whence  it  was  to  be  attached  to  the  first  west-bound 
train  leaving  Eockland  after  night-fall.  Denning  and 
Hollingshead  agreed  upon  cipher  telegrams  which  the 
former  was  to  send,  to  indicate  the  success  of  his 
undertaking,  or  the  reverse. 

When  all  was  completed,  there  remained  an  hour — 
long  with  suspense — until  the  usual  time  for  the  pub- 
lication of  the  Bulletin.  Would  that  day's  issue 
contain  the  fateful  news,  or  would  there  be  yet 
another  day  of  grace  f 

The  preceding  hours  had  been  crowded  with  intense 
thought  and  rapid  action,  in  preparing  a  definite 
defense  against  a  definite  and  expected  attack,  so 
that  Denning  had  felt  comparatively  little  need  for 

296 


A  DESPERATE  CHANCE 

stimulants.  But  now,  as  the  moments  dragged  slowly 
by  he  was  conscious  of  the  reaction  swiftly  setting  in, 
and  fearful  least  his  agitation  might  betray  itself  and 
him,  he  retired  to  his  private  office  on  the  plea  of 
important  business  and  locked  the  door  against 
intrusion. 

Here  Hollingshead  found  him,  as,  with  the  first 
obtainable  copy  of  the  Bulletin  in  his  pocket  and  joy 
in  his  heart,  he  entered  the  room  with  the  key  Den- 
ning had  given  him.  As  it  clicked  in  the  lock,  the 
latter  paused  in  his  restless  stride  up  and  down  the 
floor,  turning  a  white,  strained  face  to  the  door. 

"  Thank  God!"  he  exclaimed  involuntarily,  a 
moment  later;  "I  know  by  your  face,  Dick,  the 
hounds  are  not  set  loose  on  me  yet." 

"  Not  so  much  as  a  bark  from  them  to-night,  Mac," 
the  other  responded  joyfully,  "  and  to-morrow  by  this 
time,  you  will  be  ready  for  them." 

"  I'm  not  so  sure  of  that,"  Denning  replied,  drop- 
ping wearily  into  a  chair  and  wiping  the  perspiration 
from  his  forehead.  Hollingshead  could  not  help 
observing  how  his  hands  trembled.  "I'm  not  so 
hopeful  as  you,  Dick,  for  I  know  with  whom  I  have 
to  deal.  I  would  rather  face  the  devil  himself  than 
that  woman,  when  she  knows  the  truth.  It  will  be 
hell,"  he  added  with  terrible  emphasis,  while  his 
hands  clenched  with  a  sudden,  spasmodic  movement. 

"Brace  up,  old  man,"  said  Hollingshead  cheer- 
fully. "You've  had  a  hard  day  and  it's  getting  on 
your  nerves,  that's  all.  Let's  go  home  now ;  things 
will  look  brighter  after  dinner  and  you  need  to  rest 
up  a  bit  before  you  start." 

Silently  Denning  rose  and  began  preparations  for 
297 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

leaving.  Hollingshead,  watching  him,  was  conscious 
of  some  new  power  controlling  him.  He  had  been 
more  like  his  former  self  that  day ;  dominant,  master 
of  himself,  and,  to  a  certain  extent,  of  the  situation. 
While  he  was  wondering  what  this  new  stimulus  or 
incentive  might  be,  Denning  closed  his  desk  and 
turned,  facing  him. 

'•This  has  been  my  'busy  day,'"  he  remarked, 
with  something  of  his  old  satirical  smile,  "but  I  have 
found  time  to  attend  to  one  or  two  personal  matters. 
The  State  committees  will,  of  course,  drop  most  of 
these  party  papers  after  election,  and  I've  given 
orders  for  certain  machinery  to  be  set  in  motion 
within  the  next  few  days,  that  will  drive  the  Bulletin 
to  the  wall.  I  also  happened  to  know  of  a  couple  of 
mortgages  hanging  over  Meyers'  head  ;  I've  bought 
them  up  and  put  them  in  my  attorney's  hands,  and  by 
the  time  they  get  through  with  him,  he'll  be  squeezed 
drier  than  a  lemon.  There's  a  certain  satisfaction  in 
knowing  the  fate  of  some  other  people,  even  if  I  don't 
know  my  own,"  he  concluded  with  a  sort  of  bitter 
irony,  as  he  and  Hollingshead  passed  out  of  the 
room. 

Soon  after  dark,  Denning  was  driven  in  a  closed 
carriage  to  the  repair  shops,  where  his  car  awaited 
him  on  a  sidetrack,  nearly  a  mile  from  the  city. 

Hollingshead  accompanied  him  and  went  on  board 
the  car  for  a  few  moments. 

"  I  would  like  to  go  along  with  you,  old  man,  if  I 
thought  I  could  do  any  good,"  he  said  as  they  shook 
hands. 

"I  know,  Dick ;  but  this  is  one  of  the  cases  that 
a  man  has  got  to  tackle  alone.  I  will  feel  better 

298 


A   DESPERATE   CHANCE 

knowing  you  are  here  on  the  ground,  and  your  wife 
will  be  company  for  Helen " 

11  That  reminds  me,  Mac ;  I  think  it  would  be  better 
for  my  wife  to  go  home  to-morrow  and  take  Helen 
with  her.  It's  likely  to  be  rather  nasty,  don't  you 
know,  and  better  have  the  women  folks  out  of  the  way 
till  it  blows  over." 

"Do  as  you  think  best,  Dick.  I'll  miss  the  little 
girl,  though;  but"  he  added  gloomily,  "I  doubt  if 
her  mother  will  consent  to  her  remaining  here  after 
this." 

"I  think,"  said  Hollingshead,  dryly,  "there's 
some  one  whose  words  will  have  more  weight  with 
her  just  at  present  than  her  mother's  ; "  but  Denning, 
oblivious  to  everything  outside  his  own  troubles, 
neither  heeded  nor  heard. 

The  night  was  unusually  dark,  and  as  the  west- 
bound train,  after  a  brief  stop  some  distance  from  the 
station,  pwieed  out  of  the  city  limits,  no  one  outside 
the  trainmen  knew  that  bringing  up  the  rear  of  the 
long  line  of  coaches  was  a  private  car  with  a  solitary 
occupant. 


299 


XXVII 

MAN  PROPOSES  BUT  WOMAN  DISPOSES 

WHEN  Hollingshead  awoke  the  next  morning  to  a 
review  of  the  events  of  the  preceding  thirty-six  hours, 
he  congratulated  himself.  He  thoroughly  believed 
that  he  had  piloted  Denning  past  the  shoals  and  that, 
though  he  might  yet  encounter  high  winds  and  a 
choppy  sea,  he  would  make  port  safely.  He  had  yet 
to  learn  that  man's  best  laid  plans  "gang  aft  agley  " 
where  a  woman  is  concerned  in  them. 

The  first  hitch  in  his  carefully  arranged  program 
was  Helen's  refusal  to  leave  Eockland,  even  when  in- 
formed of  the  storm  then  gathering  ;  so  the  project  of 
his  wife's  return  home  was  abandoned. 

When  he  spoke  to  Tom  of  what  that  day  was  likely 
to  bring  forth,  the  latter  manifested  little  surprise. 

"  It  is  about  what  I  have  been  expecting,"  he  replied 
quietly,  "and  I  thought  from  father's  appearance 
yesterday  there  was  some  desperate  game  on  hand. 
He  had  the  look  of  a  man  staking  his  last  card." 

"He  is  staking  his  last  card,"  Hollingshead  ad- 
mitted. "His  only  hope  is  to  get  everything  legalized 
first,  if  possible,  and  then  make  the  best  fight  he  can. 
It's  a  deucedly  slim  chance  he's  got,  but  it  is  a  chance 
and  he  may  win  out." 

"  The  chance,  Mr.  Hollingshead,  lies  with  Mrs.  Den- 
ning and  it's  a  slimmer  one  than  you  think,"  said  the 

300 


MAN  PROPOSES  BUT  WOMAN  DISPOSES 

younger  man  deliberately.  "  He  can  make  terms  with 
the  people — for  he's  a  popular  man  and  a  powerful 
one,  notwithstanding  his  failings — but  I  doubt  if  he 
can  make  terms  with  that  woman." 

"But,  by  Jove,  Tom,  the  woman  must  have  some 
reason  !  " 

Tom's  only  answer  was  an  expressive  shrug. 

"Will  she  return  with  him!"  he  asked  suddenly, 
after  a  pause. 

"I  should  say  not!"  Hollingshead  retorted.  "I 
should  think  she  would  want  to  keep  jolly  well  out  of 
it." 

" If  she  doesn't,"  Tom  added  thoughtfully,  "Helen 
must  not  remain  here — at  least,  under  present  circum- 
stances." 

"I've  tried  to  get  her  to  go  home  with  my  wife  for 
a  few  days,  but  she  won't  hear  to  it ;  she  won't  leave 
her  father." 

Tom  made  no  reply  and  they  went  their  devious  ways. 

The  forenoon  dragged  heavily  for  all  concerned.  To 
Tom,  performing  his  duties  as  cashier  almost  mechani- 
cally, his  every  sense  alert  for  indications  of  the 
impending  blow,  it  seemed  that  morning  as  though 
occasionally,  among  the  faces  crowding  about  the 
window,  he  caught  a  curious  glance,  a  peculiar  smile  ; 
but  it  might  have  been,  he  reflected,  a  trick  of  his  own 
imagination. 

In  Denning' s  private  office,  Hollingshead  awaited 
the  message  of  success  which  he  so  confidently  ex- 
pected ;  but  hour  after  hour  passed  and  no  word  came, 
either  of  success  or  failure. 

But  it  was  upon  Helen  that  the  burden  of  those  long 
hours  fell  the  heaviest,  for  she,  better  than  any  one 

301 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

else,  realized  what  was  to  come.  But  she  bore  her 
burden  stoically,  saying  little  or  nothing  of  her  worst 
fears,  and  it  was  with  brave,  smiling  eyes  that  formed 
a  piteous  contrast  to  the  pale,  tense  face,  that  she 
welcomed  Tom  at  midday. 

"No»word  from  father  yet,"  she  said,  in  answer  to 
his  eager  inquiries.  "  Uncle  Dick  has  just  'phoned 
that  he  will  not  be  up  for  lunch.  He  is  still  hoping 
against  hope,"  she  added,  her  smile  growing  rather 
pathetic,  "  he  told  me  to  remember  that  '  no  news  is 
good  news.'  " 

u  Not  in  this  case  I  fear,"  Tom  replied,  but  Mrs. 
Hollingshead's  entrance  at  that  moment  prevented  his 
speaking  of  the  subject  which  had  been  uppermost  in 
his  thoughts  since  his  last  words  with  Hollingshead 
that  morning. 

They  were  just  rising  from  lunch  when  a  cab  was 
seen  coming  rapidly  up  the  driveway  towards  the 
house,  and  while  they  were  speculating  as  to  this 
probable  messenger  for  Denning,  Hollingshead  himself 
alighted  before  the  cab  had  fairly  stopped  and  ran 
quickly  up  the  steps,  while  it  waited.  His  wife  was 
the  first  to  meet  him  as  he  entered  the  reception  hall. 

"Beth,  I'm  dumfounded  !"  he  exclaimed,  u~So  word 
from  Mac, — no,  nothing  yet  from  your  father" — to 
Tom  and  Helen — "but  I  just  heard  something  that 
knocked  me  out  and  I  couldn't  stop  to  'phone  for  the 
carriage  ;  I  took  the  first  cab.  I  stepped  in  to  Hegan's, 
Tom,  to  get  a  quick  lunch,  and  as  I  was  going  in,  met 
Trafford,  who  asked  where  Denning  was.  I  told  him 
he  was  out  of  town  for  a  bit  but  would  be  back  in  a  few 
hours,  and  then  he  inquired  what  it  meant  that  Mrs. 
Denning  was  coming  back.  I  nearly  fell  over  myself. 

302 


MAN  PROPOSES  BUT  WOMAN  DISPOSES 

1  Mrs.  Denning  ! '  said  I,  '  the  last  I  knew  she  was  in 
B.  C.  and  talking  of  staying  there  over  the  holidays.' 
He  replied  that  that  was  what  he  and  his  wife  had 
understood,  but  that  his  wife  had  just  received  a  tele- 
gram from  her,  less  than  an  hour  before,  that  she  was 
on  her  way  to  Eockland  and  wanted  to  come  direct  to 
their  home  for  a  day  or  two,  and  she  requested  that 
their  carriage  meet  her  at  the  four-thirty  train.  Well, 
I  was  bowled  over  and  I  guess  he  jolly  well  saw  it,  but 
I  got  out  of  it  the  best  I  could  and  up  here  as  quick  as 
I  could.  Now,  what  in  the  deuce  does  it  all  mean!" 

For  a  moment,  no  one  spoke.  The  news  had  come 
like  a  blow.  Even  Helen  was  unprepared  for  such  a 
move  as  this  on  her  mother's  part.  She  was  the  first 
to  speak,  however. 

"It  means,  Uncle  Dick,"  she  said  slowly  but  stead- 
ily, "that  this  is  turning  out  just  as  father  feared  ; 
that  everything  is  at  an  end  between  him  and  my 
mother." 

"But,"  Hollingshead  insisted,  "she  must  marry 
him,  and  why  can't  she  do  it  quietly,  you  know! 
What's  the  use  of  coming  back  here  to  try  deliber- 
ately to  ruin  him ;  or  if  she  must  come  here,  why 
does  she  go  to  Trafford's  instead  of  coming  here? 
If  she  objects  to  our  being  here " 

"It  isn't  that,  at  all,  Uncle  Dick,"  Helen  protested 
quickly.  "Mrs.  Trafford  is  mamma's  most  intimate 
friend,  and,  of  course,  this  would  be  a  terrible  shock 
to  her,  and " 

"That  is  right,  Dick,"  Mrs.  Hollingshead  inter- 
posed 5  "In  your  friendship  for  Mr.  Denning  you 
must  not  forget  his  wife's  feelings  in  this  matter. 
Just  fancy,  as  Helen  says,  the  shock  to  her  ! " 

303 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"I  know,  Beth,  I  know  ;  it's  an  awful  mess  all 
ronnd,  awful?"  Hollingshead  groaned,  wheeling  ex- 
citedly about  and  darting  aimlessly  here  and  there  in 
his  perplexity,  much  like  a  bewildered  bumblebee ; 
"But,  deuce  take  it  all !  why  can't  she  be  reasonable 
at  a  time  like  this,  when  Mac's  hopes  are  hanging  in 
the  balance?"  Then  catching  sight  of  the  waiting 
cab,  he  exclaimed;  "  I  must  get  back  to  the  office; 
word  may  come  from  Mac  any  minute  and  Heaven 
only  knows  what  it  will  be  !  " 

"Look  out  for  this  evening's  Bulletin,  if  the  report 
of  Mrs.  Denning' s  return  gets  out,"  Tom  said  in  a  low 
tone,  as  Hollingshead  passed  him.  The  latter  gazed 
at  him  in  blank  consternation. 

"Jove!  you're  right,  I  hadn't  thought  of  that. 
They'll  set  the  dogs  on  now,  and  no  knowing  if  Mac  is 
dead  or  alive  ;  I'm  worried  about  your  father,  Tom." 

Mrs.  Hollingshead  accompanied  her  husband  into 
the  hall.  Tom  crossed  the  room  quickly  to  where 
Helen  was  standing.  He  spoke  her  name  tenderly  and 
as  she  turned  toward  him,  he  was  suddenly  impressed 
by  the  sweet  womanliness  of  her  manner  and  bearing, 
so  that  he  felt  a  strange  hesitancy  in  speaking  the 
words  which  were  trembling  on  his  lips. 

"Helen,  dearest,  there  is  a  terrible  crisis  coming  ; " 
he  paused  an  instant. 

"  I  know,  Tom  ;  but  you  need  have  no  fear  for  me," 
she  replied,  reading  the  apprehension  in  his  face. 

' '  Perhaps  I  realize  what  it  will  mean  to  you  better 
than  you  do.  For  that  reason,  and  because  I  want  to 
save  you  as  much  as  possible,  I  must  speak  very 
plainly." 

She  looked  wonderingly  into  his  face. 
304 


MAN  PROPOSES  BUT  WOMAN  DISPOSES 

"I  know  your  love  and  loyalty  to  my  father  well 
enough  to  know  where  your  sympathy  will  be  in  this 
coming  estrangement  and  separation,  and  that  you  will 
be  likely  to  act  in  accordance  with  your  sympathies, 
at  any  sacrifice  to  yourself." 

"I  shall  not  leave  father,"  she  said,  with  quiet 
determination. 

11  But  your  mother  will  insist  upon  it,  and — she  will 
be  in  the  right." 

She  looked  at  him  in  quick  surprise. 

"Bemember,  dear,"  he  continued,  "when  the  truth 
is  known,  as  it  must  be  soon,  my  father  and  I  will  no 
longer  be  regarded  as  your  father  and  brother." 

She  hid  her  face  in  her  hands  with  a  low  cry  as  a 
comprehension  of  his  meaning  suddenly  flashed  upon 
her. 

He  silently  drew  her  to  him,  caressing  her  with 
light,  soothing  touch  for  a  moment ;  then  seizing  her 
hands,  he  raised  her  head  till  he  looked  into  her  eyes. 

11  Tom,"  she  cried  pleadingly,  "  is  there  no  way  that 
I  can  stay  in  my  own  home,  with  those  who  are  dearest 
to  me?" 

11  Only  one  way,  sweetheart." 

I  '  And  that  is— what  ?  ' ' 

II  As  my  wife." 

Her  eyes  fell,  and  it  was  Tom  himself  this  time  who 
hid  her  face — against  his  breast. 

For  a  few  minutes  he  stroked  her  hair  in  silence  j 
then  bending  over  her,  he  whispered  : 

11  It  is  only  for  your  sake,  love, — for  your  safety  and 

protection — that  I  ask  this.     I  know  the  strain,  the 

tension  under  which  you  are  living,  and  I  will  not  add 

to  it  one  iota.    I  will  ask  for  no  fulfilment  of  the  bond 

20  305 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

between  us — I  will  not  ask  you  to  come  to  me — until 
you  are  ready  of  your  own  accord.  We  will  be 
simply  lovers,  as  we  are  now,  only — since  you  will 
then  have  no  right  to  my  father's  name — you  shall 
bear  mine.  Do  you  consent ! ' ' 

"Yes,  Tom,"  she  replied,  but  without  lifting  her 
head. 

"If  necessary,  will  you  marry  me  within  the  next 
few  hours!" 

"  Whenever  you  think  best." 

"Thank  you,  Helen,  for  trusting  me.  I  promise 
you  I  will  never  give  you  cause  to  regret  this." 

One  little  hand  crept  about  his  neck  :  "  I  thank  you, 
Tom  ;  some  day  you  will  know  how  much  ! ' ' 

He  held  her  closely  for  a  moment ;  then  releasing 
her  gently,  he  kissed  her,  but  without  a  glance  into 
the  downcast  face,  and  left  the  room. 

The  news  of  the  telegram  received  from  Mrs.  Den- 
ning flashed  through  the  town  like  wild- fire.  Within 
two  hours  of  its  receipt  the  Trafford  house  was 
besieged  by  reporters,  reminding  one,  in  their  rabid 
eagerness  for  details,  of  a  pack  of  wolves  on  the  scent 
of  their  prey.  As  Tom  had  predicted,  the  Bulletin 
sprang  to  action.  Fearing  that  its  treasured  "scoop " 
might  be  anticipated  by  some  of  its  contemporaries,  it 
issued  an  extra  edition  two  hours  in  advance  of  its 
usual  time  of  publication.  In  consequence,  just  as 
the  doors  of  the  North  Western  were  closing  on  the 
stroke  of  three,  Tom  Denning,  with  every  sense  on 
the  alert,  suddenly  caught  a  newsboy's  shrill  cry — 

"Extry  edition  of  the  Bulletin!  All  about  the 
Denning  scandal ! " 

306 


MAN  PROPOSES  BUT  WOMAN  DISPOSES 

Hollingshead,  pacing  the  floor  in  Denning' s  private 
office  in  a  state  of  mind  bordering  on  frenzy, — for  no 
word  had  come  from  Denning — heard  the  same  cry. 
Almost  simultaneously,  the  door  opened  and  Brown, 
with  a  white,  scared  face,  handed  him  a  telegram  and 
a  Bulletin  and  discreetly  withdrew.  In  his  frantic 
haste  to  read  the  former,  Hollingshead  tossed  the 
newspaper  aside,  but  even  then,  before  his  too  eager 
fingers  could  tear  open  the  yellow  envelope,  his  eyes 
met  the  fateful  headlines  staring  at  him  from  the 
desk, — 

A  DARK  SECRET  UNEARTHED  AT  LAST ! ! 
THE  REFORM  PARTY'S  CANDIDATE  FOR  GOVERNOR  A  BIGAMIST  ! ! ! 

"With  a  groan,  he  turned  to  the  "key  "  and  trans- 
lated the  cipher  dispatch  in  his  hands.  It  read  as 
follows : 

Everything  fallen  through.    Will  fight  to  the  bitter 
end.    Arrive  on  four-thirty  train.    Meet  me  as  arranged. 

MAC. 

The  telegram  fell  from  his  nerveless  fingers  and  flut- 
tered to  the  floor.  Hollingshead' s  house  of  cards  had 
fallen  about  him  and  he  sat,  speechless  and  motionless, 
amid  the  ruins,  in  a  sort  of  mental  collapse,  until 
roused  by  voices  in  the  adjoining  room,  inquiring  for 
Denning. 

A  realization  of  the  situation  swept  upon  him  with 
overwhelming  force.  Outside,  he  could  hear  the  clam- 
orous voices  of  newsboys  in  sharp  rivalry  over  the 
many  and  eager  buyers  of  their  wares.  "Within,  the 
beginning  of  that  increasing,  turbulent  tide  of  ques- 
tions which  he  was  powerless  either  to  check,  or  to 
stem. 

307 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Stricken  with  sudden  panic,  he  picked  up  the  tele- 
gram, jamming  that  and  the  Bulletin  into  his  pockets, 
dived  into  his  top-coat  and  seizing  his  hat,  rang  for 
Brown. 

"I  have  been  called  away,  Brown,"  he  said,  as  that 
worthy  appeared,  "I  must  leave,  but  Mr.  Denning 
will  be  here  shortly.  Hold  the  crowd  back  the  best 
you  can  fall  he  comes." 

"But — Mr.  Hollingshead,"  the  man  stammered, 
while  through  the  partially  open  door  behind  him  a 
reporter  loomed  at  a  little  distance. 

"Shut  that  door!"  Hollingshead  commanded, 
"  Shut  and  lock  it !" 

Brown  obeyed. 

"Brown,"  said  the  other,  " I  know  what  you  want, 
but  I  can't  say  a  word.  Between  you  and  me,  I  don't 
know  what  to  say,  and  it's  better  to  say  nothing  than 
the  wrong  thing.  Denning  will  be  here  in  less  than 
two  hours.  Hold  them  off  some  way,  till  he  comes." 

"But,  Mr.  Hollingshead,"  Brown  again  protested, 
"shall  I  deny  or  admit  it  I  I've  got  to  do  one  or  the 
other." 

"It's  all  a  mistake.  Denning  will  set  it  right  when 
he  comes,"  Hollingshead  shouted  in  desperation,  as  he 
rushed  from  the  room  through  a  private  exit. 

Avoiding  the  crowd,  he  plunged  down  a  dark  hall- 
way to  the  freight  elevator,  in  which  he  descended 
and  found  himself  deposited  in  an  alley  in  the  rear 
of  the  building.  At  the  first  corner  he  was  fortu- 
nate enough  to  find  a  cab,  however,  which  speedily 
conveyed  him  to  the  Denning  mansion. 

Tom  and  the  Bulletin  had  preceded  him.  A  glance 
at  the  faces  turned  toward  him  as  he  entered  the 

308 


MAN  PROPOSES  BUT  WOMAN  DISPOSES 

library  told  him  they  knew  all.    Mechanically  he 
repeated  Denning' s  message. 

"  We  know  it,  Dick  ;  it  is  all  here,"  said  his  wife, 
pointing  to  the  paper. 

"  The  dence,  you  say  !  Has  the  Bulletin  got  hold  of 
that  ?  "  he  exclaimed  despairingly. 

She  nodded,  and  dropping  into  the  first  chair,  with 
a  muttered  expletive,  Hollingshead  drew  forth  his 
copy  and  began  to  read. 

The  report  contained,  as  he  anticipated,  the  main 
facts  related  by  Eichards  that  day  in  the  mayor's 
office,  with  many  added  details, — evidently  gathered 
by  some  one  familiar  with  the  locus  of  the  scene — all 
amplified,  exaggerated  and  dwelt  upon  with  sickening 
particularity.  It  filled  nearly  three  columns  and  its 
glaring  sensational  headlines  charged  Denning  with 
seduction,  wilful  desertion  of  his  wife  and  child  and 
bigamy.  At  the  close  was  a  later  report,  as  follows : 

A  dispatch  just  received  from  one  of  our  special  men, 
sent  out  to  meet  the  four-thirty  train  and  interview  Mrs. 
Denning,  who  is  on  her  way  home,  confirms  the  above. 
The  lady  states  that  a  confession  just  made  to  her  by 
Mr.  Denning — who,  hearing  of  her  intended  coming  to 
Rockland,  came  out  to  try  to  effect  some  sort  of  com- 
promise and  persuade  her  to  return  to  her  friends — 
substantially  corroborates  the  Bulklin's  report.  Mrs. 
Denning  wishes  it  distinctly  understood,  however,  that 
her  daughter  is  in  no  way  affected  by  this  scandal,  as 
the  young  lady  known  among  us  as  Miss  Helen  Den- 
ning, is  Miss  Helen  Wynne,  a  child  by  a  former 
marriage,  in  no  way  related  to  Mr.  Denning,  and  who 
has  borne  his  name  only  as  a  concession  to  his  wishes. 

For  the  sake  of  her  son,  Kingsley,  Mrs.  Denning  says 
she  will  consent  to  a  marriage  ceremony  with  the  man 
who  has  thus  publicly  outraged  and  insulted  her,  but 
309 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

that  she  will  immediately  thereafter  take  steps  towards 
a  legal  separation. 

Mr.  Denning  is  returning  to  Rockland  on  the  same 
train  on  which  the  lady  herself  is  a  passenger,  but  in 
his  private  car.  Further  particulars  will  be  published 
in  the  regular  edition  of  the  Bulletin. 

Hollingshead  had  not  finished  reading  the  above, 
when  a  number  of  reporters  were  seen  approaching 
the  house,  two  of  them  representatives  of  papers 
friendly  to  Denning,  and  one,  the  reverse. 

"Good  God!"  he  groaned,  "  I  can't  face  those 
fellows.  I  don't  know  what  Mac  expects  to  do,  and  I 
can't  go  back  on  him  by  admitting  any  of  this 
stuff." 

"  I  will  go,"  Helen  exclaimed,  springing  from  her 
chair. 

"You,  Helen?  No,  I'U  see  them  myself,"  Tom 
interposed. 

"No,  Tom ;  let  me,"  she  insisted  ;  "  I  know  father 
so  well  and  he  always  trusts  me.  Besides,  what  I  say 
will  have  more  weight  with  them.  They  would  think 
you  were  prejudiced,  perhaps ;  that  you  spoke  only 
for  father.  I  can  speak  for  both." 

At  the  pleading  in  look  and  tone,  Tom  wavered. 

"Some  gentlemen  to  see  Mr.  Denning,  Jr.,  or 
Mr.  Hollingshead,"  the  butler  announced,  sublimely 
unconscious  of  any  undue  excitement  in  the  air. 

"Show  them  into  the  reception  hall,  Johnson," 
Helen  replied,  and  a  moment  later  she  entered  the 
large  hall,  pale,  but  perfectly  composed. 

At  sight  of  her,  the  three  men  rose  quickly,  ex- 
changing glances  of  consternation.  The  eldest  broke 
the  short,  but  constrained,  silence. 

310 


MAN  PROPOSES  BUT  WOMAN  DISPOSES 

"We  had  no  intention  of  troubling  you,  Miss 
Denning — pardon — Miss ' ' 

"Miss  Denning,  if  you  please,"  she  interposed 
politely,  but  with  marked  emphasis. 

"Miss  Denning,  we  hoped  to  see  Mr.  Hollingshead, 
or  the  younger  Mr.  Denning.  Are  they  in  ?  " 

" They  are,"  she  replied  calmly  ;  "  but  as  they  are 
comparative  strangers  to  you  and  have  not  the 
personal  knowledge  of  the  present  situation  that  I 
have,  I  preferred  to  see  you  myself." 

The  men  again  exchanged  glances ;  they  were  at 
a  loss  how  to  understand  her. 

"You  have  perhaps  seen  the  Bulletin,  Miss  Den- 
ning?" ventured  the  representative  of  the  Standard, 
Denning' s  paper. 

"I  have." 

"  WTiat  have  you  to  say  regarding  this  report?  We 
would,  of  course,  like  to  refute  it,  if  possible,"  he 
added. 

"It  cannot  be  refuted  in  its  entirety,  Mr.  Parker," 
she  replied,  "but  it  is  a  gross  misrepresentation  from 
beginning  to  end." 

"Do  you  know  the  truth  regarding  this  affair?" 
Parker  asked,  in  a  tone  of  unbounded  astonishment. 

"  I  do  ;  and  have  for  some  time."  Then  noting  the 
surprise  on  all  three  faces,  she  continued:  "There 
were  circumstances  connected  with  the  arrival  of  my 
brother— of  Mr.  Denning,  Jr." — she  corrected  her- 
self with  slightly  deepening  color — "which  made  it 
necessary  that  I  should  be  told  the  truth.  We  had 
met  before  you  know,"  she  added,  with  a  smile. 

"Ah,  yes;  in  the  railway  disaster."  Parker 
immediately  scented  a  romance. 

311 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

"My  father,"  she  continued,  with  a  lingering  em- 
phasis on  the  words  which  the  reporters  noted,  "  will 
soon  be  here  and  will  doubtless  speak  for  himself; 
but  one  of  you  gentlemen  represents  an  evening  paper, 
and  for  his  benefit  I  will  say  this  much  :  My  father 
never  wronged  my  mother  intentionally.  He  mar- 
ried her  honestly,  having  been  informed  that  his 
first  wife  had  died.  He  has  been  a  good  husband  to 
her,  and  the  best  of  fathers  to  me,  and  no  amount  of 
misrepresentation  can  ever  turn  me  against  him." 

"  Do  you  intend  to  take  sides  with  him  against  your 
mother,  Miss  Denning?"  Parker  inquired,  surprised. 

11 1  prefer  not  to  answer  that  question  now,  Mr. 
Parker.  Time  will  show." 

11  Pardon  me,  Miss  Denning,"  said  the  eldest  of  the 
group,  the  representative  of  the  opposition  party,  "  if 
Mr.  Denning  was  innocent  in  this  affair,  why  did  he 
not,  on  hearing  of  his  first  wife's  death,  explain  the 
situation  to  your  mother  and  have  their  marriage 
legalized?" 

"My  father  will  doubtless  explain  why, "  she  replied ; 
"But,"  she  added  slowly,  "in  the  light  of  to-day's 
events,  I  should  consider  that  question  unnecessary. 
You  will  please  excuse  me  now,  gentlemen  ;  Johnson 
will  attend  you  to  the  door.  Good  afternoon," 

"Gad!  she's  a  plucky  little  one,  all  right,"  com- 
mented one,  as  the  irreproachable  and  unconscious 
Johnson  closed  the  door  upon  them. 

11  Gee  whiz  !  if  she  isn't  going  to  stand  by  the  old 
man  ! "  exclaimed  the  youngest  of  the  party. 

"There's  a  'nigger  in  the  wood-pile'  and  don't  you 
forget  it ! "  declared  Parker. 

"  What's  that?  "  queried  the  others. 
312 


MAN  PROPOSES  BUT  WOMAN  DISPOSES 

"Pll  bet  my  bottom  dollar  it's  the  young  fellow 
she's  going  to  'stand  by,'  lucky  dog!  Didn't  you 
notice  her  allusion  to  their  having  met  before  this 
little  brother  and  sister  comedy  act  of  theirs  ?  " 

As  a  result  of  the  Bulletin's  announcement  that  Den- 
ning was  returning  on  the  same  train  as  his  wife,  a 
large  crowd  had  gathered  at  the  station  when  the  train 
pulled  in.  As  soon  as  it  came  to  a  stop,  hundreds  of 
eager,  curious  eyes  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  Mrs. 
Denning  descend  from  a  Pullman  car  and  enter  the 
Trafford  carriage,  which  then  turned  and  was  quickly 
lost  sight  of,  but  beyond  that,  they  were  doomed  to 
disappointment.  No  private  car  was  visible,  nor  was 
Denning  among  the  passengers.  Meanwhile  Denning, 
in  his  closed  carriage,  was  being  driven  swiftly  from 
the  repair  shops  to  his  home,  Hollingshead  seated 
beside  him. 

The  latter  had  never  seen  Denning  as  he  appeared 
then.  His  face  was  white  and  set,  with  desperation 
and  determination  expressed  in  every  line.  His  frame, 
as  he  held  himself  rigidly  erect,  loomed  up  massively 
in  the  dim  light,  towering  above  Hollingshead;  and 
there  was  an  unusual  quality  in  his  voice,  that  re- 
minded the  other  of  cold  steel  ringing  against  adamant. 

11  You've  done  your  best,  Hollingshead;  I'm  not 
blaming  you,"  he  was  saying.  u  You  are  accustomed 
to  dealing  with  women  made  of  flesh  and  blood,  not 
creatures  of  stone.  I  never  would  have  believed  that 
I  would  humble  myself  to  any  human  being  as  I  did 
to-day,  to  that  creature.  I  offered  her  every  consider- 
ation if  only  she  would  have  the  ceremony  performed 
quietly  and  go  back  to  her  friends,  but  she  only  in- 
sulted me.  She  told  me  she  would  not  stoop  even  to 

313 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

marriage  with  me,  except  for  her  son's  sake — her  son, 
mark  you — and  that  after  the  ceremony,  she  never 
wished  to  set  eyes  on  me  again ;  and  all  in  that  devil- 
ish, impassive,  cold-blooded  way  of  hers,  without  a 
trace  of  emotion,  not  even  of  anger.  Now,  I  simply 
defy  her  to  do  her  worst." 

"You  know  she  telegraphed  the  Traffords  to  meet 
her  ! ' '  Hollingshead  inquired. 

11 1  supposed  so.  She  stipulated  that  the  ceremony 
be  performed  there,  saying  she  would  never  set  foot  in 
any  house  of  mine." 

Denning  had  seen  the  Bulletin;  he  spoke  of  it 
briefly,  then  lapsed  into  silence,  one  that  remained 
unbroken  till  he  reached  home,  and  even  there  he  had 
little  to  say.  He  seemed  like  a  man  absorbed  in  some 
fixed,  definite  purpose,  oblivious  to  his  surroundings. 

Having  dispatched  his  son  and  Hollingshead  upon 
important  errands,  he  went  at  once  to  his  apartments, 
where  he  preceded  to  dress  with  his  accustomed  scru- 
pulous care.  The  reporters  who  had  flocked  to  the 
station  to  meet  him,  having  ascertained  from  the  train- 
men that  his  car  had  been  sidetracked  at  the  shops, 
proceeded  in  a  body  to  the  house  and  were  admitted  to 
the  reception  hall. 

In  a  few  moments,  Denning  descended  the  broad, 
winding  stairway,  in  immaculate  attire,  accompanied 
by  Hollingshead.  His  appearance  was  not  that  of  a 
crushed  or  doomed  man,  or  even  of  a  man  anticipating 
defeat  or  failure.  Dominant  and  masterful  as  ever, 
the  only  change  noticeable,  was  his  gray,  impassive 
face,  which  resembled  stone,  rather  than  flesh  and 
blood.  He  greeted  them  in  the  same  tone  which  had 
impressed  Hollingshead  so  strangely. 

314 


MAN  PROPOSES  BUT  WOMAN  DISPOSES 

"I  regret,  gentlemen,  I  can  give  you  no  time  at 
present.  I  am  due  at  Mr.  Trafford's  in  a  few  mo- 
ments, at  a  ceremony  the  nature  of  which  you  prob- 
ably know  by  this  time.  I  would  like  each  one  of  you 
to  be  present,  however,  and  here  is  my  card  which 
will  secure  your  admittance  to  the  house.  The  lady 
herself  seems  to  prefer  publicity,  and  I  will  give  her 
all  the  publicity  possible.  Immediately  after  the 
ceremony  I  will  meet  you  in  my  private  office." 

To  say  that  all — Hollingshead  included, — were  sur- 
prised, would  be  a  mild  statement,  but  Denning' s 
manner  precluded  question  or  comment.  After  events, 
however,  proved  this  to  have  been  simply  one  of  his 
strokes  of  finesse,  upon  which  he  prided  himself. 

When  Denning  and  Hollingshead  arrived  at  the 
Trafford  mansion  they  found  awaiting  them,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Trafford,  Mrs.  Denning  and  Dr.  Guthrie ;  the 
last  named  being  the  rector  of  the  church  which 
Mrs.  Denning  attended  and  to  which  Denning  was  a 
heavy  contributor.  The  reporters  were  also  present, 
ranged  like  a  row  of  wall-flowers  on  one  side  of  the 
room,  looking  rather  out  of  place  but  evidently  appre- 
ciating the  situation  and  resolved  to  make  the  most 
of  it. 

Trafford  nodded  coldly  to  Denning.  The  ladies 
ignored  him.  Dr.  Guthrie  greeted  him  with  perfect 
courtesy,  though  with  less  than  his  accustomed  cor- 
diality. After  greetings  had  been  exchanged,  Dr. 
Guthrie  said  : 

"I  find  myself  in  rather  an  awkward  situation,  Mr. 
Denning.  Will  you  and  your  friend  please  be  seated 
while  I  explain  ?  " 

Then  seating  himself,  he  continued  :  "  I  have  been 
315 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

called  to  perform  a  marriage  ceremony  j  to  read  the 
office  denominated  by  our  Church  as  that  of  Holy 
Matrimony  ;  a  service  so  solemn  and  sacred  in  its 
nature  that  our  sister  Church  includes  it  among  her 
Sacraments.  I  find  in  conversation  with  the  lady 
herself  that  this  ceremony  is  to  be  performed  simply 
from  a  legal  point  of  view,  with  the  sole  object  of 
legitimizing  the  child  of  an  illegal  union,  and  with  no 
intention  whatever  of  any  performance  of  the  solemn 
vows  themselves.  I  may  be  considered  ultra  in  my 
views,  but  to  me  the  marriage  vows  are  fully  as  sacred 
and  binding  as  an  oath,  and  to  take  them  in  this 
manner,  with  no  intention  of  fulfilment,  would,  in  my 
opinion,  be  not  only  sacrilege,  but  a  form  of  perjury, 
and  I  cannot  conscientiously  be  a  party  to  this  affair. 
I  have  talked  with  the  lady  and  endeavored  to 
dissuade  her  from  her  somewhat  extreme  position, 
and  I  would  consider  it  a  favor,  Mr.  Denning,  if  you 
would  state  what  you  are  prepared  to  do  ;  whether,  in 
your  opinion,  these  vows  may  not  be,  in  a  measure  at 
least,  performed?" 

Hollingshead  expected  a  stern  negative,  but  Denning 
put  forth  another  diplomatic  stroke. 

"  That  rests  entirely  with  the  lady  herself,  Dr. 
Guthrie,"  he  replied  courteously;  "so  far  as  I  am 
concerned,  I  am  willing  to  do  my  part  toward  this  ful- 
filment. And  permit  me  one  explanation,  Dr.  Guth- 
rie. You  alluded  to  an  illegal  union :  I  think  you 
will  believe  me  when  I  say  that  I  entered  upon  that 
union  with  as  honorable  intention  as  a  man  could 
have,  supposing  it  to  be  perfectly  legal.  I  had 
been  informed  of  the  demise  of  my  first  wife  and 
believed  myself  absolutely  free  to  remarry,  and  not 

316 


MAN  PROPOSES  BUT  WOMAN  DISPOSES 

until  years  afterward,  did  I  learn  anything  to  the 
contrary." 

"I  am  very  glad  to  hear  this,  Mr.  Denning,"  said 
Dr.  Guthrie;  "it  alters  the  aspect  of  the  case  to  a 
certain  extent.  May  I  inquire  why,  when  you  found 
your  error,  you  took  no  steps  to  rectify  it? " 

"Simply  because,  Dr.  Guthrie,  knowing  the  lady's 
prejudices,  I  knew  any  such  attempt  to  be  hopeless  ; 
that  it  would  only  result  in  the  breaking  up  of  my 
home,  with  all  the  notoriety  which  is  the  unavoidable 
concomitant  of  affairs  of  that  kind.  Believing,  as  I 
did,  that  the  facts  would  never  become  known,  and 
considering  my  marriage  morally  valid,  because 
entered  into  with  honorable  intent,  I  thought,  of  two 
evils,  it  were  better  to  choose  the  less.  I  may  have 
erred  in  judgment,  Dr.  Guthrie,  but  iny  intentions 
have  been  honest  from  the  first  until  now." 

"I  have  every  confidence  in  your  sincerity,  Mr. 
Denning, ' '  Dr.  Guthrie  replied,  ' '  and  though,  as  you 
say,  you  erred  in  judgment,  I  think  the  error  one 
which  may  readily  be  pardoned  and  I  hope  the  lady 
herself  will  agree  with  me." 

"I  have  no  hope  of  that  kind,  Dr.  Guthrie,"  Den- 
ning responded  quickly,  "  and  that  was  not  my  object 
in  making  this  statement.  It  was  only  made  that  you, 
and  these  gentlemen  present" — indicating  the  re- 
porters— "might  have  a  clear  understanding  of  the 
facts  in  the  case." 

Dr.  Guthrie  turned  appealingly  to  Mrs.  Denning  : 
"In  view  of  the  statement  just  made,  are  you  not 
willing  to  consider  the  matter  more  favorably?" 

"My  decision  has  been  taken,  Dr.  Guthrie,  and  it 
is  unalterable,"  was  the  calm  reply. 

317 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Dr.  Guthrie's  face  expressed  both  disappointment 
and  displeasure,  and  he  at  once  excused  himself.  It 
was  observed  that  his  manner  in  taking  leave  was  far 
less  cordial  toward  the  lady  in  the  case  than  it  had 
been,  or  than  toward  Denning  himself,  and  the  latter 
felt  that  he  had  scored  his  first  point. 

A  magistrate  was  summoned  who  performed  the 
ceremony  as  briefly  and  expeditiously  as  possible ; 
after  which,  Denning  and  the  reporters  went  immedi- 
ately to  his  office,  while  Hollingshead  returned  to  the 
house. 

Reporters  are  not  ubiquitous ;  hence  it  came  about 
that  in  their  eagerness  to  cover  all  the  details  of  the 
larger  affair,  two  side  issues,  either  one  of  which 
would  ordinarily  have  furnished  a  good  "story," 
escaped  their  ken ;  namely,  a  quiet  wedding  which 
occurred  at  Denning' s  home,  and  a  scene  a  few  hours 
later,  at  the  Trafford  home,  when  the  senior  Mrs. 
Denning  having  sent  for  her  daughter,  received  a 
brief  visit  from  the  junior  Mr.  Denning  and  his  wife. 

The  following  morning,  as  Parker,  at  a  late  hour, 
was  glancing  through  the  Standard  to  see  how  his 
" copy"  on  the  Denning  affair — sent  in  between  three 
and  four  o'clock — looked  in  cold  print,  the  following 
notices  caught  his  eye  : 

At  the  residence  of  J.  Harrison  Trafford,  by  Judge 
Chapman,  the  Hon.  Thomas  Macavoy  Denning  and 
Mrs.  Marian  Kingsley  Wynne. 

At  the  home  of  the  bride's  parents,  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Guthrie,  Thomas  Macavoy  Denning,  Jr.,  and  Helen 
Morton  Wynne. 

Parker's  comments  were  more  forcible  than  elegant. 


318 


XXVIII 

AMID  THE   BREAKERS 


DENNING' s  offices  presented  a  scene  of  bustling  ac- 
tivity that  night.  Beporters  came  and  went ;  messen- 
gers rushed  hither  and  thither ;  telephone  and  tele- 
graph kept  him  in  constant  communication  with 
County  and  State  committees.  From  all  points,  his 
lieutenants  responded  to  his  summons,  and  under 
the  dominant  spell  of  his  personality  rallied  to  his 
support. 

Not  content  to  trust  entirely  to  reporters,  Denning 
dictated  a  personal  statement,  so  infused  with  his  own 
individuality  that  those  who  read  it,  afterward  said  it 
had  seemed  as  though  he  himself  stood  before  them. 
This  was  first  typewritten,  then  mimeographed,  and 
ere  daylight,  scores  of  copies  were  on  their  way  to  the 
various  newspapers  throughout  the  State. 

Just  as  day  was  breaking,  Denning,  haggard  from 
nearly  forty-eight  hours'  loss  of  sleep,  tired  in  body 
and  brain,  but  indomitable  as  ever  in  spirit,  sought  a 
room  in  a  club  house  near  by  for  a  few  hours'  rest. 

Even  then  his  state  of  mental  excitement  did  not 
allow  him  to  sleep  long.  It  was  at  a  comparatively 
early  hour  that  Hollingshead  found  him,  skimming 
eagerly  through  the  morning  papers,  while  drinking 
black  coffee  and  trying  to  force  a  little  food.  There 
were  liquors  beside  him  on  the  table,  but  Hollingshead 
noticed  that  he  took  but  sparingly  of  them. 

Denning,  noting  his  glance,  smiled  faintly  :  "I  am 
319 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

only  taking  enough  to  keep  up  my  nerve  force,  Dick. 
I  don't  need  any  artificial  stimulants  now.  God  knows 
the  stress  of  this  situation  is  stimulus  enough  !  My 
fighting  blood  is  up  now,  Hollingshead,  and  I'll  win, 
or  else  die  in  the  thick  of  the  fight." 

Hollingshead  turned  the  subject.  "We  looked  for 
you  at  home,  this  morning,  Mac.  Helen  was  jolly  well 
cut  up  that  her  daddy  wasn't  there  to  give  her  his 
blessing,  don't  you  know." 

"Helen?  Is  she  there  still?"  Denning  asked,  his 
attention  momentarily  diverted  from  himself.  "Her 
mother  will  not  allow  her  to  remain  long,  though," 
he  added  with  a  sigh. 

"You  can  set  your  mind  at  rest  on  that  score,  Mac," 
said  the  other,  laughing.  "Helen  and  her  mother  had 
a  little  farewell  scene  over  there  at  Trafford's  late  last 
night.  Must  have  been  rather  effective  too,  from  all 
accounts,  but  you  had  a  corner  on  the  reporters  at  that 
time,  so  fortunately  there's  nothing  of  it  in  the  papers. 
Her  mother  sent  for  her,"  Hollingshead  continued, 
seeing  that  Denning  was  interested  ;  "  Tom  went  with 
her,  but  kept  discreetly  in  the  background,  till,  Helen 
having  made  her  little  declaration  of  independence, 
her  mother  tried  to  detain  her  forcibly,  when  he  came 
forward  and  asserted  his  right  to  take  his  wife  home 
with  him  ;  that  was  where  the  dramatic  part  came  in, 
you  know " 

1 '  His  wife  ?    Whose  wife  ? ' '  Denning  interposed. 

"Thomas  Macavoy,  Jr's,"  the  other  answered 
proudly.  "Didn't  you  know  Tom  and  Helen  were 
married  last  night?  Why,  old  man,  where  are  your 
eyes?"  and  he  pointed  out  the  marriage  notices  to 
Denning' s  astonished  gaze. 

320 


AMID  THE  BREAKERS 

"  Macavoy  and  Helen  ! "  the  latter  exclaimed.  "  I 
regarded  them  as  brother  and  sister.  How  did  this 
ever  come  about  ? ' ' 

"It  came  about  right  under  your  eyes,  Mac,  only 
you  were  too  absorbed  to  see  it.  Yesterday,  when 
affairs  took  this  turn,  they  decided  to  hasten  things  a 
little.  I  knew  Tom  had  bought  a  license  and  so  last 
night,  seeing  that  Dr.  Guthrie  seemed  disappointed, 
don't  you  know,  I  had  a  word  in  private  with  him  as 
he  was  leaving,  and  told  him  that  a  carriage  would 
call  for  him  a  little  later  to  bring  him  to  your  house 
where  there  would  be  a  ceremony  he  needn't  have  any 
scruples  about  performing.  But,  as  I  was  saying, 
there  was  a  bit  of  a  dramatic  scene  when  Tom  an- 
nounced himself  as  Mrs.  Denning' s  son-in-law.  She 
was  as  cold-blooded  as  ever,  but  she  made  some 
terribly  cutting  allusions,  as  you  can  imagine,  and 
ended  by  disowning  Helen.  She  declared  that  hence- 
forth she  had  no  child  except  her  son,  but  that  no 
power  on  earth  should  ever  take  him  from  her." 

uNo  one  will  ever  attempt  it,"  Denning  interposed 
coldly ;  then,  his  thought  evidently  reverting  to  Helen, 
he  added  :  "It  is  just  as  well.  She  would  have  stood 
by  me  in  any  event,  and  now  there  will  be  some  one 
to  look  after  her  in  case " 

He  did  not  complete  the  sentence.  Instead,  he  asked, 
with  complete  change  of  manner : 

"  What  day  is  this,  Dick  ?  I've  lost  track  of  time 
the  last  forty-eight  hours.  Friday  ?  Gad  !  election 
only  four  days  off!  Man  alive  !  we  mustn't  sit  here  ! " 

Those  four  days  were  strenuous  ones ;  crowded  with 
effort  on  the  part  of  Denning  and  his  friends  to  undo 
the  evil  wrought  by  his  enemies  in  that  one  fatal  blow. 
21  321 


But  their  work  seemed  of  little  avail.  A  split  had 
already  formed  in  the  party  and  almost  every  hour 
brought  rumors  of  fresh  defections.  The  outlook 
grew  dark,  and  though  Denning  only  spurred  his 
men  on  with  renewed  energy,  by  Saturday  night 
defeat  seemed  inevitable  had  not  a  breeze  from  an 
unexpected  quarter  stirred  the  current  in  an  opposite 
direction. 

Mrs.  Denning  had  lost  no  time  in  instituting  pro- 
ceedings for  a  legal  separation,  employing  as  her 
attorney,  a  man  whose  animosity  to  her  husband  was 
well  known,  and  who  at  once  began  a  series  of  attacks 
upon  Denning  the  very  malevolence  and  falsity  of 
which  incited  the  beginning  of  a  reaction  in  his  favor. 
In  addition,  the  Sunday  papers  contained  belated  ac- 
counts of  Helen's  refusal  to  desert  her  foster  father,  of 
her  marriage — which  was  surrounded  with  a  glamour 
of  romance — and  her  mother's  consequent  anger. 
Helen  was  a  universal  favorite  and  popular  sympathy 
went  out  to  her  and,  through  her,  to  her  father.  Den- 
ning's  course  of  action,  both  at  the  marriage  ceremony 
and  thereafter,  was  also  compared  with  his  wife's,  to 
the  detriment  of  the  latter. 

By  Monday  morning  it  was  evident  that  the  tide  had 
turned  ;  the  current  of  popular  favor  was  slowly  but 
surely  returning  in  Denning' s  direction.  That  day  he 
redoubled  his  efforts,  trying  to  speed  this  returning 
wave  to  the  utmost  boundary  of  the  State.  His  efforts 
were  not  wholly  unavailing.  The  following  morning, 
the  leading  papers  of  his  party,  in  Eockland,  in  the 
capital  city,  and  throughout  the  central  portions  of  the 
State,  were  almost  without  exception  reunited  in  their 
fealty  to  him.  The  outposts,  the  numerous  small  towns 

322 


AMID  THE  BREAKERS 

and  scattering  hamlets  in  the  large,  outlying  rural 
districts  still  remained  doubtful. 

Contrary  to  his  usual  custom,  Denning  was  astir 
early  on  the  morning  of  election  day.  Though  nearly 
exhausted  from  long  hours  of  incessant  labor,  anxiety 
and  excitement  would  not  allow  him  to  rest,  and  for 
the  first  time  in  weeks,  he  met  the  family  at  the 
breakfast  table. 

Every  nerve  in  his  body  seemed  aquiver ;  at  times 
he  felt  a  sense  of  suffocation  and  then,  for  an  instant, 
his  mind  would  seem  a  total  blank,  but  he  summoned 
all  his  will  power,  and  only  his  trembling  hands,  the 
tense  lines  about  his  mouth  and  the  almost  untasted 
food  betrayed  the  intense  agitation  under  which  he 
was  to  live  that  day. 

He  spent  his  time  at  the  table  skimming  through 
the  papers,  his  set,  rigid  face  indicating  neither 
pleasure  nor  the  reverse  at  what  he  read ;  then  tossing 
the  last  one  impatiently  aside,  he  rose  and  gave  orders 
for  the  carriage  to  be  brought  round  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble, seeming  in  feverish  haste  to  be  gone,  and  pacing 
restlessly  up  and  down  the  library  while  he  waited. 

After  his  first  greeting,  he  had  seemed  unconscious 
of  the  presence  of  the  others,  and  Hollingshead  now 
said  in  a  low  tone,  to  his  wife : 

"  Mac  is  pretty  near  the  end  of  his  rope ;  I'm  afraid 
he'll  collapse  before  the  day  is  over." 

Helen  excused  herself  and  going  to  her  father  in 
the  library,  threw  her  arms  about  his  neck,  smiling 
brightly  into  the  shadowed  eyes  with  their  far-away 
look. 

"  You  must  take  a  kiss,  for  good  luck,  you  know, 
daddy  dear,"  she  said,  playfully  drawing  the 

323 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

strained,  anxious  face  towards  herself  and  laying  her 
cool  cheek  against  his  fevered  one. 

The  tense  lines  relaxed  into  a  smile,  pathetic  in  its 
weariness  and  wistfulness.  He  drew  her  to  him, 
stroking  her  golden  hair  in  the  old  caressing  fashion. 

11  My  little  girl  stood  by  me,  didn't  she?  "  he  said  : 
then  queried  playfully:  "Was  it  for  the  old  man's 
sake,  Helen,  or  the  young  fellow's?" 

11  For  your  sake,  daddy.  I  would  have  stood  by  you 
had  there  been  no  Tom,  and  you  shall  not  call 
yourself  an  old  man." 

"I  feel  old  this  morning,"  he  replied,  with  a  sigh. 

"That  is  because  you  are  worn  out.  After  to-day, 
you  must  take  a  good  long  rest.  And  you  must  not 
feel  that  the  home  is  broken  up,  father  dear," 
she  added  earnestly.  "I  think  we  will  have  a  very 
happy  home — you  and  Tom  and  I — happier  than  ever 
before." 

"Perhaps  so,  but  I  haven't  the  courage  this  morn- 
ing to  look  forward.  It  is  all  I  can  do  to-day  to  face 
the  present.  I  hear  the  carriage ;  good-bye,  Helen, ' ' 
— he  bent  and  kissed  her — "you  have  been  the  one 
joy  of  my  life  ;  remember  that." 

As  he  released  her,  he  said  to  his  son  who  had 
entered  the  room,  "I  am  glad  you  have  won  her,  Mac- 
avoy.  I  could  never  have  let  her  go  out  of  the  family. 
Be  good  to  her,  always, "and  he  was  gone. 

Denning  did  not  go  to  his  office  that  day.  When 
not  on  the  street,  he  was  in  one  of  the  anterooms  of 
the  County  committee,  where,  by  means  of  private 
telephone  and  telegraph  lines,  he  was  in  communica- 
tion with  his  lieutenants  throughout  the  State,  who 
reported,  from  time  to  time,  how  the  battle  waged. 

324 


AMID  THE  BREAKERS 

From  these  reports  it  was  evident  that  the  danger  lay 
in  the  more  remote,  outlying  districts. 

Towards  night,  Hollingshead  remarked  confiden- 
tially to  a  friend,  "If  that  report  had  come  out  two 
days  later,  Denning  wouldn't  have  had  a  ghost  of  a 
show ;  if  two  days  earlier,  he  could  have  made  a  clean 
sweep  ;  as  it  is,  it's  going  to  make  things  pretty 
close." 

"It  shows,"  said  the  other,  "what  a  tremendous 
hold  he  has  on  the  people,  that  he  could  rally  them  as 
he  has  after  such  a  blow.  If  it  hadn't  been  for  that 
report,  he  would  have  buried  Knox  out  of  sight." 

Loss  of  sleep,  loss  of  food,  and  the  terrible  strain 
began  to  tell  on  Denning  at  last ;  and  when  the  polls 
closed  and  there  was  absolutely  nothing  more  to  be 
done — not  a  wire  to  be  pulled  or  a  key  to  manipulate 
— nothing  but  to  wait  through  hours  of  suspense,  the 
"blue  devils"  took  possession  of  him  ;  he  seemed  on 
the  verge  of  a  physical  and  mental  collapse.  He  was 
too  weak  to  leave  the  room,  but  Hollingshead  ordered 
food  and  stimulants  brought  to  him.  ^The  former  stood 
untouched,  but  shorn  of  all  sense  of  further  responsi- 
bility, he  partook  freely  of  the  latter,  and  under  their 
first  effect,  seemed  stronger  and  more  hopeful. 

The  first  reports  to  come  in  were  favorable.  Bock- 
land  led,  with  an  astounding  majority  ;  then  the  capi- 
tal city  and  one  or  two  adjoining  towns  gave  good 
majorities.  The  next  return  was  from  his  own  county, 
with  a  big  pile  of  votes  in  his  favor.  But  Denning' s 
face  did  not  relax,  nor  did  Hollingshead' s.  They  were 
thinking  of  the  doubtful  counties  yet  to  come.  Soon 
the  returns  were  coming  thick  and  fast,  favorable  and 
unfavorable,  but  the  former  well  in  the  majority. 

325 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

Outside,  in  the  densely  packed  street,  cheer  after 
cheer  went  up,  as  names  and  figures  flashed  out  in  the 
darkness,  above  thousands  of  eager,  upturned  faces. 
Men  and  women  shouted  the  names  of  their  favorite 
candidates,  then  burst  into  round  after  round  of  ap- 
plause as  another  report  shot  out  upon  the  great  white 
page  of  light.  And  above  all,  jubilant,  exultant,  rose 
the  shrill,  composite  voice  of  the  multiform,  ubiqui- 
tous small  boy,  "as  he  tore  up  and  down  the  street,  drag- 
ging behind  him  every  available  piece  of  firewood, 
while  here  and  there,  a  red  glare  told  of  premature 
bonfires  already  lighted  by  his  eager  hands. 

In  the  large  committee  rooms,  scores  of  telegraph 
instruments  and  typewriters  clicked  and  clattered. 
Within  the  railings,  men  shouted  the  returns  to  those 
outside,  and  the  throngs  of  waiting  men  cheered  and 
cursed  alternately,  while  on  all  sides  bets  were  climb- 
ing higher  and  higher  and  money  was  swiftly  changing 
hands. 

But  it  was  in  the  anterooms,  where  the  candidates 
themselves  awaited  the  returns,  that  the  stress  and 
tension  of  those  long  hours  were  concentrated. 

In  Denning' s  room,  few  words  were  spoken,  and 
those  only  in  subdued  tones.  Aside  from  the  necessary 
clerks,  but  two  men,  close  friends  of  Denning' s,  were 
present  with  him  and  Hollingshead.  The  din  and  con- 
fusion of  the  outer  rooms  and  the  uproar  from  the 
street  below,  seemed  only  to  emphasize  the  strained 
silence  in  which  they  sat. 

Suddenly  there  was  a  lull.  Returns  came  but 
slowly.  Outside,  the  crowds  clamored  impatiently,  but 
Denning  and  Hollingshead  knew  that  the  worst  was 
now  to  come.  The  doubtful  counties  were  to  be  heard 

326 


AMID  THE  BREAKERS 

from ;  more  remote  and  with  scattered  population. 
Denning  glanced  at  his  watch  ;  it  was  nearly  nine,  the 
last  returns  would  not  be  in  much  before  midnight. 
Three  hours  !  He  turned  to  the  bottle  beside  him  and 
drank  deeply,  though  Hollingshead  shook  his  head 
warningly. 

The  returns  came  dropping  in,  sometimes  in  twos 
and  threes,  but  oftener  singly  ;  returns  that  were  re- 
ceived in  that  little  room  in  dead  silence,  though  out- 
side, the  crowds  still  cheered. 

Again  and  again  during  the  next  hour,  Denning  had 
recourse  to  the  bottle  at  his  side,  till  Hollingshead 
rising,  took  it  from  him,  but  the  other,  already  com- 
ing under  the  secondary  effect  of  what  he  had  taken, 
scarcely  noticed  what  he  did. 

"Never  mind,  Denning,"  one  of  his  friends  assured 
him,  "  there's  other  counties  yet  to  hear  from." 

Denning  nodded,  heavy -eyed.  u  Yes,  there's  other 
counties  yet  to  hear  from,"  he  muttered. 

Almost  as  he  spoke,  there  came  returns  from  a 
county  favorable  to  him,  giving  him  a  good  majority. 
He  brightened  for  an  instant,  smiled,  for  the  first  and 
only  time  that  night,  then  complacently  repeating  the 
words  of  his  friend,  sank  into  a  semi-unconscious  state. 

No  one  attempted  to  rouse  him,  for  that  was  the  last 
favorable  report.  Thdse  that  followed  for  the  next 
hour  piled  up  heavy  majorities  for  Knox,  so  that  by 
eleven  o'clock,  the  election  was  practically  decided. 

From  the  window  of  Denning' s  private  office,  over 
the  North  Western  bank,  Helen,  accompanied  by  Mrs. 
Hollingshead  and  Tom,  watched  the  returns  flashing 
back  and  forth  in  the  darkness.  Her  grief,  as  the  later 
ones  came  in,  was  piteous  to  behold,  the  more  so, 

327 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

because  she  strove  so  bravely  to  conceal  it.     At  last, 
Tom  could  bear  it  no  longer. 

" Helen!"  he  took  her  hands  in  his  strong,  firm 
grasp,  "  I  can't  see  you  tortured  this  way  any  longer. 
There  is  no  use  in  staying  ;  it  is  practically  all  over, 
nothing  could  help  father  now.  Let  me  take  you 
home." 

"Not  home,  Tom,"  she  pleaded  ;  "take  me  to  him. 
Think  what  he  must  be  suffering  !  Oh  Tom,Tiot  even 
you  know,  as  I  do,  what  this  means  to  him.  It  will 
kill  him." 

"  But  you  could  do  him  no  good,  Helen,  and  it  is  no 
fit  place  for  you,"  he  expostulated.  "It  will  be  far 
better  to  go  home  and  get  everything  in  readiness  for 
his  coming,  when  he  returns." 

Mrs.  Hollingshead  added  her  entreaties  and  Helen 
yielded.  Part  of  Tom's  anxiety  to  get  her  home  was 
on  his  father's  account  but  he  said  nothing  to  Helen 
of  his  fears.  The  carriage  was  waiting  for  them  at  the 
street  entrance,  so  Helen  did  not  have  to  encounter 
the  stares  of  the  crowd.  As  soon  as  she  and  Mrs. 
Hollingshead  were  safely  home,  Tom  ordered  the 
coachman  to  drive  to  the  committee  rooms,  and  after 
instructing  him  to  wait  outside,  he  eagerly  sought  the 
anteroom  which  he  entered  quietly  with  a  pass  key. 

He  took  in  the  entire  situation  at  a  glance,  and  at  a 
sign  from  Hollingshead,  seated  himself  near  his  father. 

For  another  hour  they  waited,  Denning  occasionally 
rousing  to  ask  some  question,  but  even  when  he  heard 
the  reply,  he  did  not  realize  its  import. 

"Hadn't  we  better  take  him  home  now?"  Tom 
whispered  to  Hollingshead. 

He  shook  his  head.     "Better  not  attempt  it.     It 
328 


AMID  THE  BREAKERS 

would  only  rouse  him  for  nothing,  and  he  would  not 
consent  to  go." 

The  adjoining  rooms  and  the  street  grew  strangely 
quiet.  The  crowds  having  learned  the  results  and 
shouted  and  caroused  to  their  full  satisfaction,  had 
dispersed. 

By  twelve  o'clock,  the  last  returns  were  in  and  the 
tired  clerks  began  preparations  for  leaving.  Denning, 
through  exhaustion  and  the  effect  of  the  liquor,  had 
sunk  into  a  heavy,  unnatural  sleep. 

"  Better  get  him  home  without  waking  him,  if  you 
can,"  said  one. 

"  Don't  believe  you  can  do  it,"  said  another. 
"He's  a  heavy  man  to  carry  and  the  elevator  isn't 
running." 

Hollingshead  stepped  to  the  front.  "  You  men  stand 
back  a  bit.  We'll  have  to  rouse  him  enough  to  get 
him  out  of  here,  but  if  he  only  sees  Tom  and  me,  he 
may  not  realize  where  he  is." 

Then,  as  the  others  stepped  back,  he  shook 
Denning,  gently  at  first ;  then  with  more  force. 

"Wake  up,  old  man,"  he  cried  cheerfully,  "it's 
time  to  shut  up  shop  and  go  home,  you  know." 

But  Denning' s  mind  still  retained  its  hold  on  the 
last  events  of  which  he  had  been  cognizant. 

"Go  home?"  he  repeated,  rousing  himself  suffi- 
ciently to  sit  upright :  "No,  I'm  not  going  home  till 
the  returns  are  in." 

"  Better  go  home  and  rest  a  while,  Denning ;  we'll 
send  the  returns  up  later,"  said  one  of  his  friends. 

"I  tell  you  I  won't  leave  till  they're  all  in,"  he 
persisted. 

"Mac,"  said  Hollingshead,  still   trying  to  speak 
329 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

cheerfully,"  the  returns  are  all  in,  but — we're  in  the 
minority,  old  man." 

"Minority?"  he  repeated,  catching  only  the  last 
words.  "Minority,  you  say?  Well,  there's  other 
counties  yet  to  hear  from,"  he  responded  readily. 

"No,  Macavoy ;  no.  There  are  no  more  to  hear 
from  ;  the  last  one's  in." 

Something  in  his  tone  more  than  the  words  ar- 
rested the  wandering  mind  and  recalled  Denning  to 
himself. 

"What's  that  you  say,  Hollingshead?"  He  strug- 
gled to  his  feet,  and  facing  Hollingshead,  his  filmy 
eyes  seemed  striving  to  pierce  through  the  veil  that 
obscured  their  vision.  They  succeeded  too,  for  in  an- 
other instant,  the  old  steel-like  gleam  flashed  from 
them,  as  he  demanded,  "The  last  one's  in,  did  you 
say  ?  Are  the  returns  all  in  ?  " 

"All  in,  Mac." 

There  was  an  instant  of  strained,  breathless  silence. 

"Ajid  I — have  lost?"  he  demanded,  with  terrible 
emphasis. 

Hollingshead' s  voice  broke  in  a  great  sob  :  "  Yes, 
you've  lost,  Mac;"  he  struggled  to  say,  "but  don't 
look  like  that,  old  man ;  there'll  be  other  chances." 

No  one  who  saw  could  ever  forget  the  mingled 
rage  and  despair  in  Denning' s  eyes,  as  they  stared 
helplessly  at  Hollingshead.  His  face  grew  almost 
purple ;  he  straightened  himself  and  raised  his 
right  arm  as  though  about  to  speak.  His  lips 
moved,  but  only  a  strange  rattling  came  from  his 
throat.  He  swayed,  recovered  himself,  reeled  again, 
and  but  for  his  friends  would  have  fallen  to  the 
floor. 

330 


AMID  THE   BREAKERS 

They  raised  Mm  quickly — his  face  livid,  his  eyes 
fixed,  but  still  breathing — and  sweeping  the  littering 
mass  of  papers  from  the  long  table,  threw  their  coats 
across  it  and  laid  him  on  the  couch  thus  improvised. 
A  clerk  sprang  to  the  telephone  near  by  and  sum- 
moned a  physician.  When  he  arrived  a  few  mo- 
ments later,  he  found  the  rooms  filled,  for  the  news 
of  Denning' s  seizure  had  spread  as  though  by  magic. 
He  glanced  keenly  at  the  unconscious  man  and  shook 
his  head. 

"No  hope,"  he  said  to  those  standing  near,  "who 
is  his  regular  physician!  " 

"Dr.  Grimshaw  is  the  family  physician,  I  believe," 
said  one. 

"Better  send  for  him,  though  there  is  nothing  can 
be  done.  He  may  live  till  morning,  but  no  longer. 
Clear  these  rooms  at  once,  and  get  him  home  as  quickly 
as  possible." 

Dr.  Grimshaw  came,  and  under  his  directions 
preparations  were  made  for  carrying  Denning  down- 
stairs to  his  carriage,  still  waiting  to  convey 
him  home ;  while  Tom,  taking  a  cab,  hastened  on 
in  advance,  dreading  the  task  of  breaking  the  news 
to  Helen. 

The  latter,  watching  and  listening,  in  an  agony  of 
suspense,  for  her  father's  return,  with  the  first  sound 
of  wheels  upon  the  driveway,  rushed  to  the  door  and 
was  running  down  the  steps,  when  she  stopped 
with  a  sharp  cry  on  seeing  the  cab  with  its  solitary 
passenger. 

"  Tom,  what  does  this  mean!  Where  is  father?  " 
she  cried,  as  he  sprang  from  the  cab. 

"He  is  coming,  dear  ;  with  his  friends,"  he  said, 
331 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

putting  his  arm  about  her  and  drawing  her  into  the 
house. 

11  Coming,  with  friends  ?  "  she  repeated,  then  catch- 
ing sight  of  Tom's  face  as  the  light  fell  upon  it, 
she  exclaimed:  "Oh  Tom,  something  terrible  has 
happened  !  What  is  it  f  Is  father  dead  ?  " 

He  drew  her  close.  "No,  dear ;  he  is  living,  but  he 
is  unconscious,  and  he  will  never  regain  consciousness." 

"A  stroke!"  Mrs.  Hollingshead  exclaimed,  who 
had  met  them  at  the  door. 

"Yes,  apoplexy." 

A  long,  piteous  wail  broke  from  Helen's  lips:  "  Oh, 
father  !  My  poor,  dear  father  !  Tom,  if  you  had  only 
let  me  go  to  him  as  I  wanted  to,  and  comfort  him— 
now,  it  is  too  late!" 

"My  darling,  it  would  have  been  no  use.  Besides, 
dear,  he  did  not  suffer,  as  you  think.  He  was  asleep 
while  the  unfavorable  returns  were  coming  in ;  he 
knew  nothing  of  them,  and  when  we  had  to  break  the 
news  to  him  at  last,  he  only  realized  it  for  an  instant ; 
then — everything  was  all  over." 

Under  his  soothing  words  and  caresses,  her  sobs 
quieted,  and  when  Mrs.  Hollingshead  left  the  room  to 
fulfil  Tom's  directions,  nothing  would  keep  her  from 
accompanying  and  assisting  her. 

Upstairs,  in  the  brightly-lighted,  pleasant  apart- 
ments, loving  hands  made  ready  for  the  sad  home- 
coming, and  a  little  later,  strong,  gentle  hands  bore 
the  unconscious  form  into  the  house  and  up  the  broad, 
winding  stairs ;  and  so  the  proud,  dominant  master  of 
the  house  came,  for  the  last  time,  to  his  own. 

Just  before  the  day  dawned,  the  end  came,  but  so 
quietly  that  not  even  the  physicians,  watching,  knew 

332 


AMID  THE   BREAKERS 

the  exact  instant  when  the  strong,  indomitable  spirit 
deserted  the  body  which  had  so  ignominiously  failed 
it  at  the  last. 

Hours  later,  young  Denning  and  Hollingshead  made 
a  startling  discovery.  On  opening  Denning' s  desk,  in 
his  private  sitting  room,  they  found  in  the  top,  right- 
hand  drawer,  a  new  revolver,  loaded,  placed  there  as 
though  with  some  definite  and  deadly  purpose.  Beside 
it,  was  a  brief  note,  to  the  effect  that  he  had  never 
known  the  meaning  of  the  word  "fail,"  and  it  was 
now  too  late  to  learn ;  that  to  him,  its  only  meaning 
was  the  end  of  life  itself.  The  note  also  stated  that  he 
had  made  a  new  will,  giving  to  Helen,  in  addition  to 
her  own  fourth  of  the  property,  the  share  originally 
bequeathed  to  his  wife.  A  brief  search  disclosed  the 
will,  which  had  been  executed  on  the  Saturday  pre- 
ceding ;  and  later  inquiry  developed  the  further  fact 
that  the  revolver  had  been  purchased  at  a  late  hour 
Saturday  night,  just  when  the  outlook  was  the  darkest. 
It  was  evident  that  Denning  had  intended,  in  case  of 
failure,  to  take  his  own  life,  and  had  laid  the  plans 
for  his  death  with  the  same  method  and  foresight 
which  had  characterized  his  life. 

As  a  sculptor,  with  a  few  deft  touches,  works  almost 
miraculous  changes  in  the  marble  beneath  his  hands, 
so,  in  the  face  of  Denning,  Death  wrought  a  marvellous 
change.  The  coarseness  and  sensuality,  the  hard, 
tense  lines  of  unscrupulous  ambition,  disappeared  un- 
der his  softening,  refining  touch ;  but  not  even  he 
could  add  the  lines  which  should  have  been  there,  but 
had  never  existed.  So  those  taking  their  last  look, 

333 


BREAKERS  AHEAD 

saw,  not  the  face  of  a  conquered,  broken  man,  but  of 
one  reposing  in  the  calm  majesty  of  superb  strength  ; 
as  though,  conscious  of  his  own  powers,  he  silently  de- 
fied the  world  ;  but  yet,  a  face  utterly  devoid  of  love 
or  benevolence. 

Gazing  upon  it,  Dr.  Guthrie,  who  had  called  as  a 
friend,  to  pay  his  last  respects,  said  : 

"He  was  a  man  of  wonderful  powers,  wonderful ! 
The  only  pity  was  that  they  were  not  devoted  to 
loftier  aims.  With  his  irresistible  personality,  his 
indomitable  will,  his  marvellous  power  over  men, 
as  an  altruist,  instead  of  an  egoist,  his  life  would  have 
been  sublime !" 

Mrs.  Hollingshead,  standing  near,  smiled  sadly  at 
the  memory  of  her  own  words  of  long  ago,  which  his 
words  recalled ;  but  her  husband  only  murmured 
brokenly,  as  he  turned  away  : 

"  Poor  old  Mac  !" 

On  the  following  Sunday  morning,  there  were  few 
pulpits  in  Eockland  in  which  some  allusion,  direct 
or  indirect,  was  not  made  to  Denning ;  some  hold- 
ing up  his  better  qualities  for  emulation ;  some 
using  his  life  as  a  warning  against  undue  ambition 
and  pride. 

But  none  left  the  profound  impression  that  was 
made  by  Dr.  Guthrie,  whose  only  allusion  was  veiled 
in  the  Scripture  lesson  read  that  morning,  selected 
from  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  the  book  of  that 
impassioned  poet,  Isaiah,  and  closing  with  these 
strangely  appropriate  and  impressive  words  : 

"The  grave  from  beneath  is  moved  for  thee,  to 
meet  thee  at  thy  coming  :  it  stirreth  up  the  dead  for 
thee,  even  all  the  chief  ones  of  the  earth ;  it  hath 

334 


AMID  THE  BREAKERS 

raised  up  from  their  thrones  all  the  kings  of  the  na- 
tions. All  they  shall  speak  and  say  unto  thee,  '  Art 
thou  also  become  weak  as  we !  Art  thou  become  like 
unto  us  ! '  Thy  pomp  is  brought  down  to  the  grave, 

and  the  noise  of  thy  viols. How  art 

thou  fallen  from  heaven,  O  Lucifer,  son  of  the 
morning ! ' ' 


THE    END 


335 


|*o5oT27946    2 


